New Delhi [India]: The world’s glaciers are disappearing at an unprecedented rate, with five of the last six years witnessing the most rapid retreat on record. The first-ever World Day for Glaciers, observed on Friday, serves as a stark reminder of this alarming crisis.
Between 2022 and 2024, glaciers experienced their largest three-year mass loss ever, raising serious concerns about water shortages, rising sea levels, and increased natural disasters, according to a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS).
Experts warn that many glaciers—once thought to be “eternal ice”—may not survive the 21st century. “Preservation of glaciers is not just an environmental concern—it’s an economic and societal necessity. It’s a matter of survival,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
A Looming Water Crisis
Glaciers act as the planet’s water reservoirs, storing fresh water that sustains millions of people, particularly in high-altitude regions. As they melt, river flows temporarily increase, but long-term depletion will lead to severe water shortages.
According to the WGMS, glaciers have lost over 9,000 billion tons of ice since 1975—the equivalent of a 25-meter-thick ice sheet covering Germany. The 2024 hydrological year marked the third consecutive year of global glacier loss, with all 19 monitored glacier regions showing negative ice balance.
“This level of glacier loss is unprecedented,” said Michael Zemp, Director of the WGMS. “We are watching entire ecosystems change before our eyes. If current trends continue, glaciers in Western Canada, the USA, Scandinavia, Central Europe, the Caucasus, New Zealand, and even the Tropics will not survive the 21st century.”
Rising Sea Levels and Natural Disasters
Glacier melt has become the second-largest contributor to rising sea levels, following ocean warming. Between 2000 and 2023, glaciers lost 5% of their total ice, with Central Europe losing nearly 40% of its glaciers.
“Every millimeter of sea-level rise exposes an additional 200,000 to 300,000 people to annual flooding,” Zemp added. Beyond coastal threats, melting glaciers increase risks of glacial lake outburst floods, avalanches, and rockslides in mountain regions.
A Global Call to Action
With global temperatures rising rapidly, the situation is deteriorating. Seven of the ten worst years for glacier loss have occurred since 2016. Recognizing the urgency, the United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, with support from UNESCO, WMO, and 200+ organizations across 35 countries.
As part of this initiative, the WGMS introduced the “Glacier of the Year” award, with South Cascade Glacier in Washington, USA, as the first recipient. The glacier has been monitored continuously since 1952, providing one of the longest records of glacier mass balance in the Western Hemisphere.
Experts emphasize that immediate action is crucial. Without stronger efforts to reduce global warming, glaciers will continue to melt, leading to severe freshwater shortages, rising sea levels, and more frequent climate disasters.
“This is not just about preserving landscapes; it’s about safeguarding livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems,” Saulo stressed. “Glaciers may seem distant to many, but their loss will be felt worldwide.”