Global glacier melt accelerates at unprecedented rate, new study reveals
A comprehensive international study published in Nature has uncovered an alarming acceleration in global glacier melt over the past decade, with significant implications for sea level rise and worldwide water security. The research shows a 36% increase in ice loss between 2012-2023 compared to 2000-2011.
The study reveals that glaciers are losing approximately 273 billion metric tons of ice annually, equivalent to 30 years of global water consumption. Since 2000, glaciers have lost roughly 5% of their total volume, with regional variations ranging from 2% loss in Antarctica to a striking 40% reduction in the Alps.
Using advanced satellite technology, ground measurements, and data from 275,000 glaciers worldwide, researchers from the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), the University of Edinburgh, and Earthwave research group have established new baseline measurements that surpass previous monitoring capabilities, which were limited to only 500 glaciers in the 20th century.
The findings suggest that glacier melt is occurring more rapidly than projected in the latest IPCC report, according to Michael Zemp of the University of Zurich, who co-authored the study. This accelerated melting has contributed nearly two centimeters to global sea level rise since 2000, potentially exposing an additional four million coastal residents to flood risks.
The research highlights particular concerns for regions dependent on glacial water supply, especially in Central Asia and the Central Andes. Smaller glaciers face the greatest immediate threat, with many not expected to survive beyond this century. As the second-largest contributor to rising sea levels after thermal expansion of seawater, this accelerated glacial melt poses significant challenges for coastal communities worldwide.
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