Melting glaciers, collapsing ice shelves, thawing permafrost – these are some of the most visible impacts of climate change.
Glaciers around the world have been losing over 200 billion metric tons of ice per year, contributing significantly to rising sea levels.
Glaciers play a crucial role in regulating global water resources. Retreating glaciers disrupt water cycles, threatening freshwater resources, ecosystems, agriculture, and communities that rely on glacial meltwater.
The Himalayan glaciers, crucial water sources for millions of people, have been receding at an alarming rate of approximately 10 meters (33 feet) per year.
The IAEA event, Cryosphere: The impact of retreating glaciers, will take place on 6 December at 11:00 (GMT +4). The panel discussion will focus on the high-risk areas of cryosphere melting and glacier retreat and the IAEA's efforts in addressing where glacier melt water is going and its impact on the longevity of groundwater reserves.
The discussion will also explore implementation actions ahead of the 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation conference in Tajikistan.