UN Reports: 2 Billion People Face Threat from Global Glacier Melt

Since January 1, 2025, you may not know it, but we have entered a special year: that of the year devoted to the preservation of glaciers with March 21 as a World Day for the latter. Indeed, it is by UN decision that this year is devoted to this fragile ecosystem which is threatened by global warming. Especially since the consequences of their disappearance could be terrible for ¼ of the world's population, or 2 billion people.

Indeed, global warming is a global disaster whose direct or indirect consequences are or will be felt all over the world and no one can escape it.

In view of a UNESCO report, in 75 years, 26 to 41% of mountain glaciers will be at risk and this will have consequences for 2 billion people around the world who depend on water stored in the form of ice in the mountains.

What would be the consequences of the melting of glaciers?

This is a little abstract to say that 2 billion people are threatened by the melting of glaciers around the world. Let us therefore specify our remarks by providing concrete examples of direct and indirect consequences which could therefore threaten ¼ of the world's population.

Human beings, like many other living beings, needs water to live. This can come from different sources, but UNESCO specifies that 55 to 60% of freshwater resources come from mountains and therefore glaciers, which if they do not melt too quickly have time to regenerate each season to continue to supply us. You will understand, this is not the idyllic scenario to which we are heading, but rather the opposite.

Thus, without the glaciers, the main source of fresh water supply on the planet would be lost and we speak as much for the drinking water which is vital to us as the water that will be used to grow our cultures so that we can eat and therefore which is also vital to us.

Without this water contained in the glaciers and which must regenerate to allow to continue to have this resource in a lasting way, so 2 billion people would therefore have water and food problems.

But that's not all. Indeed, the glaciers contain gigantic amounts of water. If the latter came to melt, we could expect episodes of spectacular floods endangering the populations who live at the bottom of the mountains and close to the rivers.

Finally, 10 years ago already, it was highlighted that the melting of glaciers could also lead to the release of very large quantities of methane in the atmosphere, therefore participating even more in global warming.

In short, with regard to these forecasts, it is urgent to act.

Source : The Guardian