Glaciers Could Disappear by 2100, Putting Millions at Risk, Climate Scientists Warn

Glaciers are melting fast, and scientists warn many could disappear this century. Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica hold 70% of the world’s freshwater, threatening water supplies and raising sea levels.

Glaciers around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate, putting millions of lives at risk. Scientists warn that if the current melting trend continues, many glaciers will not survive the 21st century. This rapid ice loss, driven by rising global temperatures, threatens freshwater supplies, contributes to sea level rise, and endangers the livelihoods of those who depend on glacial water.

Glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica hold about 70% of the world’s freshwater. In a stable climate, these ice masses remain relatively unchanged, but human-induced climate change has accelerated their melting. Last year, glaciers in Scandinavia, Svalbard, and North Asia experienced their highest-ever recorded mass loss. 

The Hindu Kush mountain range, often referred to as the “third pole” due to its vast water reserves, is also under threat. More than 120 million farmers in the region rely on these glaciers, and their disappearance could have devastating consequences.

Experts warn that glacier retreat is becoming irreversible. Five of the past six years have seen record-breaking ice loss, and between 2022 and 2024, the world witnessed its largest-ever three-year glacial decline. Since 1975, glaciers outside Greenland and Antarctica have lost over 9,000 billion tonnes of ice, equivalent to an ice block the size of Germany with a thickness of 25 meters. 

On average, the world is losing 273 billion tonnes of ice each year, roughly equal to the global population’s water intake for 30 years. In central Europe, nearly 40% of glaciers have already melted, and at this rate, those in the Alps may vanish before the end of the century.

Beyond the loss of freshwater resources, glacial melt has severe global impacts. It is responsible for 25 to 30% of rising sea levels, adding approximately one millimeter to ocean heights each year. While this may seem small, each millimeter can displace 200,000 to 300,000 people due to flooding. 

As sea levels rise, communities face economic challenges, environmental destruction, and forced migration. Scientists emphasize the urgency of addressing this crisis through policy changes, increased research, and global cooperation.

On March 21, the world observed the first-ever World Day for Glaciers, aiming to raise awareness about the critical role glaciers play in the climate system. The event, part of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, brought together world leaders, scientists, and policymakers at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to highlight the importance of glacier conservation and improve monitoring efforts. 

Experts at the event stressed the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow global temperature rise to preserve what remains of these vital ice masses.

In recognition of the ongoing crisis, the South Cascade Glacier in Washington, USA, has been named Glacier of the Year 2025. It has been monitored since 1952 and serves as one of the longest continuous records of glacial mass balance in the western hemisphere. Scientists hope this recognition will highlight both the beauty of glaciers and the importance of long-term research efforts.

As glaciers continue to melt at an unprecedented pace, experts encourage people to visit and appreciate these natural wonders before they disappear. The burden of climate change will fall heavily on future generations, making it essential to act now to slow the damage and protect the planet’s frozen reservoirs.