Vanishing ice, global impact: Why melting glaciers matter to everyone

As glaciers shrink at an accelerating pace due to climate change, the impact extends far beyond mountaintops, endangering water supplies, energy systems, food security, and the very survival of vulnerable communities. The article presented by Daily Sabah newspaper highlights the critical consequences of glacial melting — a rapidly growing crisis with global implications. 

Glaciers Disappearing — and So Are Resources

Melting glaciers, a direct effect of global warming, are creating immediate and long-term threats to freshwater resources and energy infrastructure. As glaciers melt, they initially release large volumes of water, swelling rivers and lakes — but this is a temporary boost. Eventually, the source dries up, leaving entire regions without crucial freshwater supplies.

According to Michael Zemp, director of the World Glacier Monitoring Service, "We think that the majority of catchments around the globe are going to reach this peak water within the century, and about 30% or more have already passed" this critical threshold.

In areas such as Central Asia and the Andes, where glaciers are often the only water source during dry months, this trend is especially alarming. A new report by UNESCO reveals that mountains contribute up to 60% of the world's annual freshwater flow, with over 2 billion people depending on it for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture. Notably, half of the Amazon River’s water originates in the Andes, UNESCO’s hydrological program chief Abou Amani said.

Natural Disasters on the Rise

The consequences of melting glaciers are not limited to water scarcity. The sudden release of massive water volumes can trigger floods, landslides, and avalanches. Glacier retreat also uncovers unstable rock and sediment, which can collapse and add to the danger.

These risks are increasingly leading to legal and environmental challenges. In Germany, a Peruvian farmer, Saul Luciano Lliuya, is suing energy giant RWE for its alleged role in climate change. He claims RWE should help fund efforts to protect his hometown, Huaraz, from an overflowing glacial lake fed by melting ice.

Shifting Ecosystems

As the snow line rises higher in mountainous regions, biodiversity is being thrown into disarray. Vegetation climbs to new altitudes, but not all species can adapt to the changing moisture and temperature levels. Zemp notes that this may cause widespread disruption in fragile mountain ecosystems. “The amount of change, and the speed of the change – this is going to be the huge challenge,” he said.

Economic and Social Disruptions

Glaciers are central to the economies and livelihoods of many mountain communities. In the Andes, for example, 85% of hydropower is sourced from mountain regions, according to UNESCO. As glaciers retreat, the energy potential of these rivers diminishes, directly impacting electricity production.

Communities such as the Aymara, who rely on mountain pastures, are being forced to abandon traditional livelihoods. Degrading land conditions are driving many to migrate to urban centers, upending local cultures and economies.

The effects extend to other water-dependent industries. In France, heatwaves have already caused river temperatures to rise, reducing output at nuclear power stations. Low flow rates during droughts further constrain operations. In Germany, the River Rhine — a critical waterway for trade — has seen water levels drop so low that cargo transport is regularly disrupted.

Swiss glaciologist Matthias Huss warns: “It happens sometimes now, but in the future, it might happen more and more often as hot and dry periods will increase, and the problems will be accelerated by the lack of glacial melt.”

The Rising Tide

Glaciers are the second largest contributor to global sea level rise — after seawater expansion caused by heat. But Michael Zemp warns they are expected to become the main driver in the coming decades. NASA satellite data shows sea levels have risen by 10 centimeters since 1993.

Zemp adds, "Each additional millimeter of sea level rise exposes 200,000 to 300,000 people to annual flooding. So small number, big impact."

The effects of even modest sea level rise ripple across the globe. In 2011, severe flooding in Bangkok halted production of hard drives, disrupting the global tech industry and raising prices. Stefan Uhlenbrook, director of the WMO’s water and cryosphere program, notes: “You see in a globalized, interconnected economy, these changes are impacting everyone.”

As the first-ever World Day for Glaciers is marked, the message from the United Nations, UNESCO, and scientific voices is clear: glacier melt is not a distant problem — it is a present and accelerating crisis demanding global attention.

By Tamilla Hasanova