1 / 9Glaciers Melting Faster: Glaciers around the world are shrinking at an unprecedented rate. A recent report by UNESCO confirms that the past three years have seen the greatest loss of glacial ice ever recorded. The findings highlight the urgency of the issue. (Pixabay image)
2 / 9Massive Ice Loss: Since 1975, glaciers have lost approximately 9,000 gigatons of ice. This is comparable to an ice block covering the entire area of Germany with a thickness of 25 metres. Michael Zemp, the director of the World Glacier Monitoring Service, shared this information during a press briefing at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. (Shutterstock image)
3 / 9Rising Temperatures Increase Loss: Glacial ice is vanishing in regions such as the Arctic, the Alps, South America, and the Tibetan Plateau. The primary cause is climate change, driven by the continuous use of fossil fuels. As global temperatures rise, ice loss is expected to accelerate, leading to environmental, economic, and social challenges. These include rising sea levels and decreasing water supplies in many areas. (AP Photo)
4 / 9UNESCO Calls for Urgent Action: The report was published during a UNESCO summit in Paris, which marked the first-ever World Day for Glaciers. UNESCO has urged global leaders and communities to take immediate action to protect the world’s remaining glaciers and slow down their disappearance. (Shutterstock image)
5 / 9Sea Levels Rising Due to Glacial Melt: In 2024 alone, glaciers lost an estimated 450 gigatons of ice. Over the past six years, five have recorded the highest levels of ice loss. The melting of mountain glaciers has become one of the largest contributors to rising sea levels, increasing the risk of floods and threatening coastal communities. (Pixabay image)
6 / 9Water and Energy Supplies Under Threat: Currently, around 275,000 glaciers remain across the globe. Along with the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, these glaciers store about 70% of the world’s freshwater. Millions of people depend on glacial water for drinking, agriculture, and hydroelectric energy. The loss of glaciers could severely impact water availability and energy production. (Shutterstock image)
7 / 9Mountain Communities Face Greater Risks: More than 1.1 billion people live in mountainous regions where glacial retreat is having immediate effects. These communities are facing more frequent natural hazards, such as avalanches, landslides, and flash floods. Many areas that rely on snowpack for freshwater are also experiencing worsening droughts, making water sources increasingly unreliable. (AP Photo)
8 / 9Cultural and Legal Impacts of Glacial Loss: In Peru, a farmer has taken legal action against a German energy company, arguing that its historic greenhouse gas emissions contributed to glacial melt. Meanwhile, in East Africa, glaciers in the Rwenzori Mountains, which are sacred to local Indigenous communities, are expected to disappear by 2030. (AP photo)
9 / 9The loss of these glaciers is not only an environmental concern but also affects cultural traditions and local water supplies. Experts warn that continued ice loss worldwide will have widespread consequences for both nature and human societies. (Shutterstock image)
