Glacier melt accelerates, raising concerns over sea-level rise, scientists report

Ice loss from the world's glaciers has increased significantly over the past decade, with a 36% rise in melting from 2012 to 2023 compared to 2000 to 2011. Researchers estimate an average loss of 273 billion tonnes of ice per year. The study, coordinated by the World Glacier Monitoring Service, indicates that glaciers have lost about 5% of their volume since 2000. Smaller glaciers are melting faster, with some regions, like the European Alps, experiencing up to a 40% loss. The findings suggest that glacier melt will contribute more to sea-level rise than previously thought, affecting freshwater supplies and increasing vulnerability for coastal populations.