Global Glaciers Face Record Ice Loss, Threatening Water Security and Ecosystems

UN reports accelerating glacier melt, with 2024 marking the fourth-worst year on record, as the world observes the first World Day for Glaciers.

Glaciers worldwide have lost over 9,000 billion tonnes of ice since 1975, with the past three years seeing the largest mass loss on record.
The accelerated melting is a significant contributor to sea level rise, adding 18 millimeters since 2000, which increases flooding risks for millions globally.
Nearly 2 billion people rely on glaciers for freshwater, agriculture, and industry, with regions like the Andes, Himalayas, and Central Asia facing critical water shortages.
Melting glaciers heighten natural disaster risks, including avalanches, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods, threatening downstream communities.
The UN has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation to raise awareness and push for global action to combat climate change and protect these vital water resources.