Climate catastrophe: glaciers threaten to melt by 76% at 2.7 ° C!

Climate catastrophe: glaciers threaten to melt by 76% at 2.7 ° C!

An international study in which the University of Bremen is significantly involved has published alarming forecasts about the global glacier loss. According to the examination, which has been published in the renowned specialist magazine Science, global temperatures by 2.7 degrees Celsius leads to only a quarter of the glacier masses available worldwide. In contrast, if the temperature increase is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as targeted in the Paris climate agreement, it could be possible to preserve over half of the glacier mass. This result gives a sharp light on the responsibility of current climate policy, as Professor Ben Marzeion from the University of Bremen emphasizes. The glacier loss is viewed as an indicator of progressive climate change, and the study reflects the concerns of the researchers that the current decisions will have far -reaching consequences.

The research team, consisting of 21 scientists from ten countries, examined the long -term ice loss of over 200,000 glaciers outside of Greenland and Antarctica and took eight glacier models and various global temperature scenarios into account. Even at stable temperatures of 1.2 degrees Celsius, it is estimated that 39 percent of the glacier mass will be lost. Dr. Harry Zekollari from Vrije Universiteit Brussels emphasizes that every additional warming by 0.1 degrees Celsius increases the loss of the glacier ice by two percent.

long -term effects of the glacier loss

The glacier loss has numerous, far -reaching consequences. This includes the risk of drinking water supply for over three billion people, the increased risk of natural disasters and the threat to tourism in affected regions. The urgency of the topic can be recognized in the broader social discussion about climate change and its effects on our ecosystem. In view of the dramatic changes, it is crucial that climate policy take immediate measures to slow down global warming.

In total, more than 275,000 glaciers worldwide are at risk from climate change. Between 2000 and 2024, glaciers lost around 273 billion tons of ice cream annually, and according to the latest calculations, there was one of the worst years with a loss of 450 billion tons of ice in 2024. The Andes, the Himalayas and the Alps, in which numerous glaciers have been melted over in recent decades, are particularly affected. This not only has an impact on the sea level, but also destabilizes the climate and the biological diversity in affected regions.

The way to the future

The research results are in the context of the international year of preserving the glaciers, which takes place in 2025. The scientists are calling for more investments in glacier monitoring and a more comprehensive data in order to better assess the decline in glaciers and the associated natural hazards. This is particularly important because glaciers also play an important role in reflection on solar radiation and in climate research. The glaciers will continue to melt without immediate measures, but consistent climate protection strategies could help to slow down loss.

summarized can be said that the glacier loss is not only a warning signal, but also a direct result of current climate policy and inadequate global heating limit. Each temperature increase has negative effects on our environment and future living conditions.

For further information on the study and its results, visit University of Bremen , ETH Zurich and Deutschlandfunk .