'Earth is running out of water': 36% faster glacier melt could leave billions without supply

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Representative pic

Melting Fast

Glaciers now lose 314 billion tonnes of ice per year, a 36% surge from the early 2000s—alarming.

Rising Threat

Glaciers are the second-largest cause of sea-level rise, surpassing Greenland and Antarctica.

Water Crisis

Annual ice loss equals 30 years' worth of global water consumption—vital freshwater is vanishing.

Global Impact

5% of total glacier ice has disappeared since 2000, with some regions losing up to 39% of their ice.

Satellite Proof

Glambie used data from Terra, ICESat-2, CryoSat, and more, revealing precise ice loss trends.

Alaska’s Role

Nearly 25% of glacier-driven sea-level rise comes from Alaska, making it a major contributor.

Rapid Acceleration

Annual ice loss jumped from 231 to 314 billion tonnes between 2000 and 2023—an undeniable trend.

Freshwater Disappearing

Glaciers in Central Asia and the Andes sustain millions but are vanishing, endangering water supply.

Global Collaboration

35 research teams analyzed 233 glacier estimates, creating the most comprehensive dataset to date.