• All 19 glacier regions faced net mass loss in 2024 for the third consecutive year.
• Glaciers globally lost approximately 450 billion tonnes of mass, raising alarm about water supply risks.
• The trend highlights the urgency of combating climate change to protect freshwater resources.

The United Nations has reported a troubling decline in global glacier mass for 2024, stating that all 19 glacier regions have suffered a net loss in mass for the third consecutive year. This alarming trend, highlighted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), indicates that five of the last six years have recorded the most rapid glacier retreat in history.

According to the WMO, glaciers lost approximately 450 billion tonnes this year, contributing to a cumulative loss of over 9,000 billion tonnes since records began in 1975. Speaking on the inaugural World Glacier Day, WMO chief Celeste Saulo emphasized that glacier preservation is crucial for environmental and societal survival. "The preservation of glaciers is a matter of survival," she stated.

The data reveals significant variability in glacier loss across regions. While areas like the Canadian Arctic and peripheral glaciers of Greenland experienced more moderate impacts, regions like Scandinavia and North Asia reported their worst retreat on record. The report warns that glaciers in Western Canada and the United States, as well as central European and Caucasus glaciers, may not survive the century if the current melting rates persist.

In recognition of the pressing challenges posed by climate change, the UN has declared March 21 as World Glacier Day, underscoring the essential role that glaciers play in ensuring global freshwater supplies. Failure to address greenhouse gas emissions could lead to the disappearance of half of the world’s glaciers by 2100, threatening millions who rely on their waters.

"Ignoring the problem of climate change is convenient for a short time, but it will not bring us closer to a solution," noted Stefan Uhlenbrook, WMO's water and cryosphere director. The WMO's analysis poses urgent questions regarding political action on climate change as the adverse effects of glacier loss become increasingly evident.

For more details, visit these reports from Jakarta Post and Africa News.