A recent study has found that nearly 40% of existing glaciers are already doomed to melt due to climate change caused by fossil fuel emissions. If global temperatures rise to 2.7C, the loss will surge to 75%. This massive glacier loss would significantly impact sea levels, leading to mass migration and devastating effects on food production.
However, reducing carbon emissions and limiting heating to the internationally agreed 1.5C target can save half of the glacier ice. Unfortunately, current emissions are on track for a 2.7C rise, making it increasingly difficult to achieve this goal.
Glaciers in the western US and Canada have been severely affected, with 75% already destined to melt. Those in high-altitude mountain ranges like the Hindu Kush-Karakoram range will also experience significant shrinkage.
The study used multiple models of glaciers to examine their fate beyond 2100 and found that about 20% were already doomed to melt by then. The total glacier loss inevitable is estimated at 39%.
Reducing global warming would prevent 2.7 trillion tonnes of ice from melting, while a 1.5C limit would reduce this amount by 14cm.
According to Dr Harry Zekollari, every fraction of a degree in temperature matters. Limiting emissions can save half of the glacier ice and potentially reduce human suffering caused by climate change.
The study highlights the importance of acting now to address glacier preservation. The UN’s High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation begins in Tajikistan, part of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/29/almost-40-of-worlds-glaciers-already-doomed-due-to-climate-crisis-study