By Matik Kueth
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a stark warning regarding the rapid depletion of glaciers in 19 regions worldwide.
In a statement obtained by King Media on Friday, Victoria Pacheco, a tour guide at the Perito Moreno Glacier, noted that 2024 marks the third straight year in which all 19 glacier regions have recorded a net loss in mass.
Despite the glacier maintaining equilibrium for a century, it has begun to retreat significantly in recent decades.
“It is melting faster than ever, with a high retreat rate compared to previous years,” Pacheco said.
The WMO reported that five of the past six years have seen the most rapid glacier retreat ever recorded, a trend linked directly to climate change.
However, UNESCO has characterized glaciers as “fragile mirrors” of climate change, with their retreat highlighting rising global temperatures.
The organization further cautioned that without substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, half of the world’s glaciers could vanish by 2100, threatening freshwater supplies and ecosystems.
To raise awareness about the crucial role of glaciers in providing freshwater, the UN has designated March 21 as World Glacier Day, calling for global action to safeguard these essential resources before they are lost permanently.