Most of the world’s glaciers were formed during the last glacial maximum. These glaciers, which are remnants of the Ice Age, have existed for thousands of years in high altitude or polar regions. However, big changes await us ahead. A recent study suggests that more than half of the world’s glaciers could disappear by the end of this century.

A study conducted by scientists from the Swiss Technical University Zurich (ETH Zurich) and the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) in Belgium gives a disappointing forecast for our planet’s glaciers. Scientists have estimated the potential loss of glaciers under different carbon emissions scenarios. They took into account all the glaciers on our planet (200,000 in total).

Glaciers are under serious threat

The numbers from the research are frightening. Under the high emissions scenario, up to 54 percent of all glaciers could disappear. In the Alps, this number reaches an alarming 75 percent.

“Glaciers are critically important in many parts of the world, and therefore changes in glaciers directly impact our society and the natural environment,” said Professor Harry Zecollari, lead author of the study and glaciologist.

“Locally, glaciers can pose natural hazards, have significant tourism value and determine local water supplies.”

From melting glaciers to rising sea levels

The melting of glaciers does not end with the disappearance of the ice landscape; The consequences are far-reaching. One of the biggest concerns is the impact of melting glaciers on rising sea levels; This increases the risk of flooding in coastal cities. More importantly, the loss of glaciers is reducing the freshwater resources that millions of people rely on for drinking water.

“Water supply from glaciers (and how this changes) will affect biodiversity and the availability of water for industry, agriculture and housing,” Professor Zecollari said.

The greenhouse effect only makes the crisis worse. As the Earth’s albedo (its ability to reflect sunlight) decreases, more solar energy is absorbed rather than reflected. This increases the risk of global warming, which will worsen climate change.

Estimation of glacier mass loss

To estimate future glacier loss, the research team examined historical glacier masses, carbon emissions and temperature data. With this information and the help of computer modeling, experts were able to predict the future loss of glacier mass.

“By modeling the evolution of the glacier over the 21st century under different climate scenarios, we found significant differences in results depending on future emission levels,” Professor Zecollari said.

At low carbon emissions, glaciers could lose 25 to 29 percent of their mass by 2100. In a high emissions scenario, this figure could increase to 46-54 percent. Glaciers in the European Alps are among the most vulnerable. In high emissions scenarios, these glaciers are predicted to lose more than 75 percent of their volume. However, polar regions such as Arctic Canada, Iceland, and Svalbard may retain most of their ice masses by the end of the century, although significant losses still occur.

Uncertainties in glacier evolution

Despite these painful discoveries, the team acknowledges the uncertainty in the predicted evolution of glaciers and emphasizes that the researchers were studying glaciers, not ice sheets. Ice sheets, giant glacier ice masses found in Greenland and Antarctica, hold approximately 99 percent of Earth’s fresh water.

Although these ice sheets store more mass and respond on longer time scales, their contribution to sea level rise is about the same (or even slightly less) than the 200,000 glaciers studied.

Professor Zecollari concluded: “It is really critical for us that all the figures obtained by us and other researchers are brought together to get the full picture of sea level rise.”

The fragility of our world’s glaciers underscores the urgent need for proactive climate action.

Protecting glaciers: a collective responsibility

The fate of the world’s glaciers is uncertain. It is possible to slow down these declines by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and implementing sustainable environmental policies. Efforts such as switching to renewable energy sources, protecting fragile ecosystems, and increasing global awareness of the importance of glaciers can help reduce their loss. All the actions we take today help preserve glaciers for future generations, preserving freshwater resources, biodiversity and the delicate balance of our climate.