A groundbreaking global study has revealed that the rate of ice loss from the world’s glaciers has significantly increased over the past decade, raising concerns about faster-than-expected sea level rise.
Published in Nature, the study—led by an international team of researchers—found that glaciers lost approximately 36% more ice between 2012 and 2023 compared to the period from 2000 to 2011.
Professor Michael Zemp from the University of Zurich, a co-author of the research, described the findings as both “shocking” and expected. He highlighted that smaller glaciers are disappearing more rapidly, and many may not survive beyond this century.
This accelerated melting is contributing to higher sea levels and is expected to have severe consequences for freshwater supplies, particularly in regions like Central Asia and the central Andes. Researchers estimate that since the beginning of the 21st century, around 5% of the world’s glacier volume has disappeared, with significant regional variations—from a 2% loss in Antarctica to a staggering 40% in the European Alps.
On average, glaciers are shedding approximately 273 billion tonnes of ice annually—equivalent to the global population’s total water consumption for three decades. The study, conducted by the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), the University of Edinburgh, and research group Earthwave, utilized both satellite and field data to provide a comprehensive assessment of glacier loss.
Professor Martin Siegert from the University of Exeter, who was not involved in the study, called the findings “alarming,” particularly as they may indicate how massive ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland could respond to global warming.
“Ice sheets are losing mass at a rate six times higher than 30 years ago. Once they start changing significantly, we are no longer talking about a few centimeters of sea level rise, but meters,” he warned.
Zemp stressed that urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if the world hopes to preserve its glaciers.
“Every fraction of a degree of warming that we prevent will save money, lives, and future challenges,” he said.
