Since 2000, melting in coastal zones have caused the increase in seas level
A survey by WGMS (World Glass Monitoring Service) published in the Nature On Wednesday (19.FEV.2025) showed that global glaciers lost at least 5% of their volume because of climate change caused by human activities. The phenomenon has already contributed to raising sea level by almost 2 cm. Here’s (PDF – 21 MB).
The study also highlights the impact of glaciers melting on freshwater supply, especially in regions such as Central Asia and Central Andes. Since 2000, the increase in sea level due to the melting of the glaciers has exposed about 4 million people to a higher risk of flooding in coastal areas.
Outside deposits of continental ice layers in Greenland and Antarctica covered a global area of about 706,000 km² from 2000 to 2019. The total volume of these deposits was estimated at 158,170 km³, which could result in an average potential increase of 32, 4 cm at sea level if the ice was melted.
Currently, glaciers are considered the 2nd largest cause for rising sea level after the thermal expansion of seawater. According to the monitoring service, the accelerated pace of melting overcomes previous estimates, including those of the latest UN (United Nations) UN (Intergovernmental Panel) report.
“Its melt leads to the increase in local geological risks and has an impact on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, freshwater regional resources and global water and energy cycles.”says the study.
According to the researchers, it is estimated that 1/4 of the global glacial mass will be lost until 2100. The scenario, which may represent the worst loss of the century, depends directly on the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
