Melting Glaciers Threaten Large-Scale Consequences for the Planet

Antarctica holds 61% of the planet's freshwater. However, in 2023, the extent of Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest level in recorded satellite history, losing an area comparable to the combined size of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain.

This has created a critical threat to emperor penguins, which rely on stable ice for breeding. The premature breakup of ice sheets leads to the death of chicks that have not yet developed waterproof feathers. Already, one in five penguin colonies is facing severe challenges. However, research suggests that some penguins are adapting by migrating to more stable ice formations and even nesting on icebergs. According to Peter Fretwell of the British Antarctic Survey, this adaptation offers a glimmer of hope, though without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the species’ population could decline by 99% by the end of the century.

Arctic ice is disappearing faster than anywhere else on the planet, losing about 13% of its volume every decade since satellite observations began in 1979. Initial climate predictions are materializing much sooner than expected: the ice extent originally forecasted for 2050 has already been recorded today. Oceanographer Irina Repina warns that the Arctic could lose its summer ice cover even earlier than anticipated. Today, ice in the region has already become a seasonal phenomenon.

Svalbard, located between Norway and the North Pole, is one of the fastest-warming regions in the world. More than half of its landmass is covered in ice, but summer temperatures now exceed historical averages by 4°C, leading to the rapid melting of glaciers. Swedish photographer Christian Åslund has been documenting this alarming phenomenon by comparing modern and historical images of the region. He emphasizes that the Arctic is where the consequences of the climate crisis are most visible and dangerous.

One of the key drivers of accelerated melting is the ice-albedo feedback effect: the formation of melt ponds on the surface of sea ice reduces its ability to reflect sunlight, leading to further warming and the continued retreat of glaciers.

Mountain glaciers play a crucial role in maintaining water balance in arid regions such as the La Paz area in Bolivia, Central Asia, Tuva, and Mongolia. Their melting leads to a reduction in freshwater reserves, causing water shortages and worsening living conditions for local populations. In Central Asia, where glaciers feed key water systems such as the Syr Darya, Amu Darya, and Ili rivers, glacial water supply is expected to decrease by one-third by the end of the 21st century, negatively impacting ecosystems and regional economies.

Thus, the protection of glaciers has become a critically important global challenge. Preserving ice is not just about maintaining natural beauty and biodiversity—it is a necessary condition for human survival in the face of an accelerating climate crisis.