Climate change

Study: 75% of Glaciers at Risk

Published MAY 30 2025

Story

Above: French Alps, near Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Image credit: Unsplash

The Facts

According to a study published in Science on Thursday, nearly 40% of the world's glaciers are already projected to disappear due to existing climate-heating emissions, with potential losses rising to 75% if global temperatures reach 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels.
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Science
The study, which combined eight glacier models to analyze over 200,000 glaciers worldwide, revealed that even if global temperatures stabilized at today's levels, glaciers would still lose 39% of their 2020 ice mass, contributing to at least 10 centimeters of sea level rise.
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The New York Times
Fox40
Glaciers in the European Alps, the Western Rockies, and Iceland are projected to face the most severe impact, with nearly 90% of their ice expected to be lost at a 2°C warming over baseline. In contrast, the Hindu Kush-Karakoram region shows more resilience due to its higher elevations.
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guardian
The study warned that every 0.1°C increase in global temperature could result in the loss of approximately 2.7 trillion tons of ice.
guardian
Down To Earth
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Glacier loss reportedly threatens the freshwater availability for billions of people, endangers downstream communities through increased flood risks, and impacts tourism economies that depend on glacial landscapes.
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The Washington Post
The findings were released ahead of the U.N. High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation in Tajikistan, which aims to "serve as a platform to advance global efforts in climate adaptation and resilience, with a specific focus on addressing glacial melting."
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UN

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The Spin

Climate-concerned narrative

The study delivers a message of hope rather than doom. While significant glacier loss is inevitable, immediate and ambitious climate action can still preserve more than half of the world's glacier mass. Limiting warming to 1.5°C would save twice as much ice compared to current policies — protecting vital water resources and preventing catastrophic sea level rise.

The New York Times

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Climate-skeptic narrative

The focus on glacier preservation may divert attention and resources from more pressing adaptation needs. Communities can prepare for glacier loss, if it even occurs, by developing alternative water sources and flood protection measures, as even immediate carbon emission cuts cannot prevent significant melting. Glacial melting is a complex topic with many dynamics.

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Al Mayadeen English

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