With nearly 2 billion people relying on glacier for drinking water and agriculture, the rapid melting of glaciers poses a critical challenge. In 2023 alone, glaciers lost over 600 gigatons of water—equivalent to 13% of the world’s annual water consumption. Additionally, shifting meltwater flows are triggering floods, droughts, landslides, and rising sea levels, endangering ecosystems and putting billions at risk. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5°C could help preserve glaciers in two-thirds of World Heritage sites. 

Given the critical role of glacier meltwater in drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production, and ecosystem health, it is fitting that the theme for World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’. The United Nations has also declared 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation and the beginning of the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034). From Greenland’s Ilulissat Glacier to New Zealand’s Fox Glacier, glaciers worldwide are melting at a rate far beyond what scientists predicted just a decade ago.

According to the UN, the decline of glaciers and the resulting rise in sea levels negatively impact water resources and threaten communities, especially coastal populations. It also causes global economic disruptions, affecting agriculture, hydropower, tourism, trade, and transportation. Experts point out that while glacier melting is a natural phenomenon that has occurred since the Ice Age, the rate has accelerated alarmingly since the industrial revolution in the 18th century.

The United Nations World Water Development Report 2025 states that in Asia and the Pacific region, alpine glaciers are disappearing at a faster rate than the global average. In the long term, reduced water flows and increased droughts will impact food, water, energy, and livelihood security in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. The report adds that human activity, environmental degradation, and energy use contribute to this crisis. The presence of black carbon, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants has also increased in the Third Pole.

Glaciers are gasping for survival, and every melting glacier causes significant changes in ecosystems. Glaciers form when snow accumulates over time and compresses into ice, but rising global temperatures hinder new glacier formation. The current challenge is to prevent existing glaciers from melting.

Another growing concern is the formation of glacial lakes, which pose transboundary risks. Glacial lake outbursts can cause devastating floods in downstream areas, highlighting the urgent need for improved water governance.

Fawzia Tarannum, a water and sustainability consultant, explains, “The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is the water tower of Asia, directly sustaining nearly 200 million people and over 1.9 billion downstream. These transboundary glaciers do not recognise political borders, making the current fragmented approach ineffective. With the region warming at nearly twice the global average, glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate, with some projected to lose up to 65–70% of their volume by 2100 under high-emission scenarios.”

She adds, “The eight nations along this 3,500 km stretch must rise above geopolitics and hydro-politics to develop an integrated and collaborative strategy. Strengthening data-sharing networks, implementing early warning systems for glacial lake outburst floods, integrating glacier preservation into climate policies, and ensuring sustainable water resource management are urgent imperatives.”

An example of the devastating impact of glacier melting was seen in 2013 when heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand led to the melting of the Chorabari Glacier, causing the collapse of the glacial lake dam. A report by the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank estimated a $1 billion loss in tourism revenue for that year, with total economic losses reaching $3.8 billion during the recovery period.

Why Are Glaciers Important?

The World Water Day Report states that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 is off track. Experts emphasise that glacier management must also be considered to achieve SDG 11, which focuses on disaster risk reduction.

Beyond being the largest source of freshwater, glaciers also help regulate the earth’s climate. Their white surfaces reflect excess heat from the sun back into space, preventing further warming. If all glaciers were to disappear—a scenario that would be catastrophic for humanity—global sea levels would rise by 70 meters, submerging coastal cities. Certain animal species, such as penguins and polar bears, would face extinction due to the loss of their natural habitat.

Rising sea levels from glacier melt will also reduce the availability of freshwater, which is essential for human survival. As seawater intrudes into freshwater sources such as rivers, it will make water unfit for human consumption. This intrusion will also harm agriculture, significantly decreasing crop yields and driving food inflation. Additionally, millions of people will be displaced as their land is lost to rising sea levels, leading to homelessness, joblessness, and economic hardships.

Economic Effects

The impact of rising sea levels is already being felt worldwide, particularly in coastal cities. The US Geological Survey warns that if all glaciers melt, global sea levels could rise by 70 meters (230 feet), submerging every coastal city on the planet. Venice, for example, is experiencing more frequent flooding due to rising sea levels, a direct consequence of global warming.

Tarannum warns, “The rapid melting of glaciers is not just an environmental crisis—it’s a multi-trillion-dollar economic catastrophe in the making. In the Hindu Kush Himalaya region alone, where glaciers sustain nearly 1.9 billion people downstream, their retreat—losing up to 24 gigatons of ice annually—threatens agriculture, hydropower, and freshwater availability.”

She adds, “The global economic toll is staggering: cryosphere-induced disasters in the region have already caused losses of up to $45 billion in the last 30 years. By 2050, glacial melt-driven water shortages could reduce GDP in affected regions by up to 10%, while damages from glacial lake outburst floods continue to cost millions annually.”

In coastal regions, rising sea levels are also causing a slump in real estate markets, as people are reluctant to invest in land that may soon be underwater. Insurance costs in high-risk areas are skyrocketing due to the increased threat of severe and prolonged flooding. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states that damages from sea-level rise lead to higher costs for property repairs and maintenance. Flooding can destroy infrastructure and disrupt businesses.

A study by LEEDS adds, “Homes exposed to sea-level rise (SLR) sell for approximately 7% less than observably equivalent unexposed properties equidistant from the beach. This discount has grown over time and is driven by sophisticated buyers and communities concerned about global warming.” Chances of flooding in coastal cities like Mumbai and Chennai are at an all-time high and NASA has warned that if urgent action is not taken, Mumbai could be submerged by the end of this century.

K. Ganesh, Director of Sustainability & Corporate Affairs at Bisleri International, warns, “With glaciers melting at unprecedented rates, the consequences remain unpredictable, raising urgent concerns about global water security and ecosystem stability. A recent UNESCO report warns that retreating glaciers pose a serious threat to the food and water supply of 2 billion people worldwide. For the beverage industry, this presents a critical challenge, as water scarcity directly affects sourcing, production, and long-term sustainability.”

He adds, “Businesses must take climate risk assessments seriously, integrating sustainable water management and emission reduction strategies to ensure long-term viability. Investing in renewable energy, circular economy practices, and conservation efforts is not a choice but a necessity to safeguard both business and global water security.”

Tarannum states, “Hydropower-dependent economies are at significant risk. Peru, for instance, could see up to a 15% reduction in electricity generation due to glacier shrinkage. The tourism industry is also suffering, with Switzerland’s glaciers losing 10% of their mass in just two years (2022–2023), and skiable areas projected to shrink by over 40% under a 4°C warming scenario. The cost of inaction will far outweigh the cost of preservation, making immediate intervention an economic and ecological imperative.” Governments in countries like the Maldives, Indonesia, and the US are already investing heavily in seawalls to protect human settlements from rising sea levels.

The tourism industry, which is a major economic driver, is also under threat. According to UNESCO, 50 World Heritage Sites contain glaciers, with 18,600 glaciers identified within them. A study by UNESCO and IUCN found that these sites are losing 58 billion tonnes of ice annually, contributing to 5% of global sea-level rise.

Tourist seasons are becoming shorter, and snowfall is declining due to rising temperatures. Recently, the government of Uttarakhand had to create artificial snow to host the winter games in Auli, a region that received abundant snowfall just a few years ago.

In India, heat waves are now a harsh reality. February 2025 was recorded as the hottest February in 125 years. The idea of heat waves in February was once unimaginable, but today, it stands as a stark reminder of the accelerating impacts of climate change.