Melting glaciers have profound and far-reaching impacts on Earth

The world’s glaciers are melting faster than ever recorded under the impact of climate change, according to the most comprehensive scientific analysis to date.Mountain glaciers – frozen rivers of ice – act as a freshwater resource for billions of people worldwide and lock up enough water to raise global sea-levels by 32cm, if they melted entirely.But since the turn of the century, they have lost more than 6,500bn tonnes – or 5% – of their ice.And the pace of melting is increasing. Over the past decade or so, glacier losses were more than a third higher than during the period 2000-2011. The study combined more than 230 regional estimates from 35 research teams around the world, making scientists even more confident about exactly how fast glaciers are melting, and how they will evolve in the future. Glaciers are excellent indicators of climate change, Environment scientists say."In a stable climate, they remain roughly the same size, gaining about as much ice through snowfall as they lose through melting,” according to BBC.Melting glaciers have profound and far-reaching impacts on the Earth, affecting ecosystems, sea levels, climate patterns, and communities around the world.Glaciers and ice sheets store about 70% of the world’s freshwater reserves. High-altitude regions are often dubbed the world’s "water towers” because they gradually release meltwater in the summer, sustaining towns and farms downstream.Data reveal nearly 2bn people globally rely on glacial melt for their day-to-day water needs, researchers say. Yet, as the world gets hotter, the ice is thawing.Glaciers around the world are now melting at twice the rate measured just two decades ago. Between 2000 and 2023, they lost an ice mass equivalent to 46,000 Great Pyramids of Giza.And this is affecting communities worldwide. Some regions are left with too little water, while others struggle with too much.As glaciers shrink, they eventually reach a threshold — known as peak water — at which runoff declines, points out Katharina Schantz, prominent environment journalist Katharina Schantz.As a result, less meltwater flows downstream, with potentially far-reaching consequences.Reduced water supply has forced local farmers, who traditionally grew corn and wheat, to change both their crops and water management. Some communities in the Andes have now switched to growing a bitter potato variety that is more resilient to drought, she noted. Unstable water supply is also stalling electricity production. In Chile, 27% of power is generated by hydroelectric dams which critically depend on meltwater. Environment scientists say melting glaciers contribute directly to rising sea levels, especially those in Greenland and Antarctica. Coastal cities and island nations are increasingly at risk of flooding, land erosion, and even disappearance over time. Many regions rely on glacier meltwater for fresh water, especially during dry seasons. Reduced glacier mass can lead to water shortages for drinking, agriculture, and hydropower in places like South Asia, the Andes, and the Alps.Freshwater from melting glaciers dilutes ocean salinity and can alter thermohaline circulation. This affects global climate patterns, including potentially weakening the Gulf Stream, which would bring colder weather to Europe and disrupt weather systems globally.Glacial regions are home to specialised species of plants and animals. As glaciers disappear, so do the habitats, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem imbalance.Glacier retreat destabilises mountain slopes and creates glacial lakes that can burst. This increases the risk of floods and landslides in mountain communities, endangering lives and infrastructure.Ice reflects sunlight, a phenomenon, which is called Albedo Effect. As glaciers melt, darker land or water surfaces are exposed, which absorb more heat. This accelerates global warming in a feedback loop, worsening climate change. Glaciers hold cultural, spiritual, and historical significance for many communities. Their loss affects cultural identity and tourism, impacting local economies.