Groundbreaking Study Consolidates Two Decades of Glacier Observations

Nature, 19 February 2025

A comprehensive analysis from the Glacier Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise, or GlaMBIE, reveals global glaciers are losing ice at an alarming rate, averaging 270 billion tonnes annually from 2000 to 2023, with a significant acceleration in recent years. This mass loss, surpassing both Greenland and Antarctic ice sheet contributions, made glaciers a major driver of sea-level rise during these two decades. Central Europe and other regions with smaller glaciated areas have experienced disproportionately larger losses, up to 40% of glacier ice during this period. While overall ice loss aligns with previous projections, some regions, like the Southern Andes and New Zealand, are already passing predicted rates. Overall, this study paints a sobering picture of the world’s glaciers, which face continued and possibly accelerated mass loss until the end of this century unless ambition for climate action is dramatically improved.

Full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08545-z
News Coverage from the University of Zurich: https://phys.org/news/2025-02-glaciers-loss-freshwater-resources-contribute.html