Glaciers around the world are melting at an unprecedented rate, with serious consequences for global freshwater supplies and rising sea levels, according to a new international study published in Nature.
The research, conducted by 35 teams of scientists as part of the Glacier Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise (Glambie), provides the most comprehensive assessment yet of how rapidly the Earth's ice reserves are disappearing.
This was reported by the WP Tech.
Billions of Tons of Ice Vanishing Every Year
Since the year 2000, glaciers have lost an average of 273 billion tons of ice annually, contributing to a sea level rise of 18 millimeters over the past two decades. The total volume of glacier ice has shrunk by 5% globally in just 20 years, with some regions experiencing even more severe losses.
Glaciers in Central Europe have been hit particularly hard, losing 39% of their volume. This rapid decline is not just a concern for rising seas — it also threatens freshwater supplies for millions of people.
Michael Zemp, one of the study’s lead researchers, highlighted the extensive collaboration behind these findings.
"We collected 233 estimates of glacier mass changes in different regions from about 450 experts across 35 research teams," he said, emphasizing how the Glambie project has provided critical insights into regional trends and yearly variations in glacier loss.
Freshwater Shortages Loom as Glaciers Disappear
Glaciers are more than just frozen landscapes — they are key freshwater sources, especially for communities in Central Asia and the Andes, where they supply water during dry, hot seasons.
"Glaciers are critical for local communities in these regions, as they are often the primary source of water when precipitation is low," said researcher Inés Dussaillant, stressing the increasing risk of freshwater shortages as glaciers continue to shrink.
Satellites Reveal the Full Scale of Glacier Decline
The study’s groundbreaking data was made possible through collaboration with space agencies and advanced satellite monitoring missions.
Co-author Noel Gourmelen emphasized the critical role of satellite technology in tracking glacier loss.
"These missions provide a global view of glacier changes, allowing us to monitor their retreat with increasing precision," he explained.
Programs like the European Copernicus CRISTAL, built on findings from ESA’s CryoSat mission, are essential tools in understanding and responding to climate-driven glacier loss.
The research was funded by the European Space Agency’s FutureEO program, in partnership with the International Association for Cryospheric Sciences and other institutions.
