In a comprehensive new study that has unified global glacier research, scientists have discovered that the world’s ice masses are disappearing faster than previously known, with implications for both coastal cities and mountain communities that depend on glacial water.
The research, published today in Nature, reveals that glaciers worldwide have lost an average of 273 billion tonnes of ice annually since 2000 – a volume that has accelerated by 36% in recent years. This loss represents enough water to meet global drinking needs for 30 years.
“Glaciers are vital freshwater resources, especially for local communities in Central Asia and the Central Andes, where glaciers dominate runoff during warm and dry seasons,” explains glaciologist Inés Dussaillant from the University of Zurich, who participated in the analysis.
The study, known as the Glacier Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise (GlaMBIE), brought together an unprecedented collaboration of 35 research teams and approximately 450 scientists who combined multiple types of measurements – from direct field observations to satellite data – to create the most accurate picture yet of global glacier change.
Key Findings Paint a Stark Picture
Since the year 2000, the world’s glaciers have lost approximately 5% of their total volume, with dramatic regional variations. While some areas have lost as little as 2% of their ice, glaciers in Central Europe have seen a staggering 39% reduction. The pace of loss has increased significantly in the latter half of the study period (2012-2023), with annual losses jumping from 231 billion tonnes to 314 billion tonnes.
“We compiled 233 estimates of regional glacier mass change from about 450 data contributors organised in 35 research teams,” said Michael Zemp, who co-led the study. “Benefiting from the different observation methods, GlaMBIE not only provides new insights into regional trends and year-to-year variability, but we could also identify differences among observation methods.”
Rising Seas, Shrinking Resources
The total ice loss of 6,542 billion tonnes between 2000 and 2023 has contributed 18 millimeters to global sea-level rise. This makes glaciers the second-largest contributor to rising seas, surpassing both the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. The study found glacier mass loss was 18% higher than Greenland’s ice sheet loss and more than double Antarctica’s.
Alaska’s glaciers alone account for nearly a quarter of the contribution to sea-level rise, highlighting the outsized role of certain regions in global change. “When it comes to sea-level rise, the Arctic and Antarctic regions, with their much larger glacier areas, are the key players,” noted Dussaillant.
Technology Driving Understanding
The research represents a significant advance in how scientists monitor glacier change, combining traditional field measurements with data from multiple satellite missions. These include optical, radar, laser, and gravimetry satellites from various space agencies worldwide.
“This research is the result of sustained efforts by the community and by space agencies over many years, to exploit a variety of satellites that were not initially specifically designed for the task of monitoring glaciers globally,” said Noel Gourmelen, study co-leader.
Looking Ahead
The findings come at a crucial moment, as the United Nations prepares to launch its International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025-2034). The research also provides essential baseline data for regions planning their responses to water scarcity and rising seas.
Stephen Plummer, Earth Observation Applications Scientist at ESA, emphasized the broader implications: “These findings are not only crucial for advancing our scientific understanding of global glacier changes, but also provide a valuable baseline to help regions address the challenges of managing scarce freshwater resources and contribute to developing effective mitigation strategies to combat rising sea level.”
As global temperatures continue to rise, the study suggests that glacier loss will likely accelerate further, highlighting the urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies in vulnerable regions.
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