UNESCO has reported alarming glacier loss, with the past three years marking unprecedented levels. Since 1975, glaciers lost 9,000 gigatons of ice, with 450 gigatons lost in 2024 alone. This melt accelerates flooding risks and threatens freshwater supplies, as glaciers hold 70% of the world’s freshwater. A summit in Paris aims to foster international efforts for preserving these systems.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has reported alarming levels of global glacier melt, marking the past three years as the most significant ice mass loss on record. According to Michael Zemp, the head of the World Glacier Monitoring Service, glaciers have experienced a loss of 9,000 gigatons of ice since 1975, comparable to a massive ice block the size of Germany, with a depth of 25 meters.
Additionally, five of the last six years recorded unprecedented losses, including an astonishing 450 gigatons of ice lost in 2024 alone. Zemp indicated that the melting of glaciers is expected to accelerate in regions such as the Arctic, the Alps, South America, and the Tibetan Plateau, due to the ongoing rise in global temperatures linked to climate change.
The retreat of glaciers is already contributing to rising sea levels, heightening the likelihood of flooding for millions. Furthermore, this phenomenon poses risks to freshwater systems that are essential for agriculture and hydropower, impacting billions of individuals. Presently, glaciers and the ice sheets located in Greenland and Antarctica constitute approximately 70% of the world’s freshwater reserves.
These concerning findings precede a forthcoming UNESCO summit in Paris, which will celebrate the inaugural International Day of Glaciers. Officials at this conference are anticipated to advocate for international collaboration aimed at conserving the remaining glacier systems.
In summary, the United Nations has highlighted unprecedented glacier loss due to climate change, with a significant reduction in ice mass over recent decades. The consequences of this melting are profound, contributing to rising sea levels and threatening vital freshwater resources. Action at the international level is critical to address this environmental crisis, particularly as the first International Day of Glaciers approaches, emphasizing the need for preservation efforts.
Original Source: shafaq.com
