Mountain glaciers, crucial freshwater resources for millions globally, are retreating at an unprecedented pace. If these glaciers melted entirely, they could raise global sea levels by an alarming 32cm (13in). With over 200,000 glaciers worldwide, the scale of potential impact is immense. Direct measurements exist for only a small fraction of these glaciers, yet the evidence of their shrinkage is undeniable. Over the past two decades, nearly all glaciers have been shrinking due to rising temperatures, contributing significantly to global sea-level rise.
Between 2000 and 2023, glaciers outside Greenland and Antarctica's major ice sheets lost an average of 270 billion tonnes of ice annually. This rate of loss is more than a third higher than the period from 2000 to 2011. Since the turn of the century, glaciers have shed more than 6,500 billion tonnes—or 5%—of their ice. Central Europe alone has seen a 39% reduction in glacier ice over just two decades. As indicators of climate change, glaciers are sounding alarms about the severity of global warming.
Global sea levels have risen by over 20cm (8in) since 1900, with predictions of faster increases in the coming decades. Hundreds of millions worldwide depend on seasonal meltwater from glaciers for their water needs. These ice formations act like giant reservoirs, buffering populations against drought.
"Every tenth of a degree of warming that we can avoid will save some glaciers, and will save us from a lot of damage." – Prof Zemp
Prof Zemp highlights the critical importance of mitigating climate change to preserve glaciers and prevent widespread damage. The amount of ice lost by the century's end will heavily depend on humanity's efforts to curb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
"Every centimetre of sea-level rise exposes another 2 million people to annual flooding somewhere on our planet." – Prof Shepherd
Prof Shepherd underscores the human cost, emphasizing that even small increases in sea level can have devastating impacts on populations worldwide. The ongoing retreat of glaciers is not an isolated phenomenon but a global issue affecting all who are concerned about climate change.
"What happens on the glacier doesn't stay there." – Prof Zemp
"These community estimates 'are vital as they give people confidence to make use of their findings.'" – Andy Shepherd
Andy Shepherd stresses the significance of community estimates in understanding and addressing glacial changes. These findings are essential for climate scientists, governments, industries, and concerned citizens globally to respond effectively to the challenges posed by global warming.
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