Thousands of glaciers to melt each year by midcentury, study finds

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffDecember 16, 2025 at 03:40 PM

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medium article 2 min

A study published in Nature Climate Change in December 2025 warns that the world could lose thousands of glaciers annually by mid-century if global warming is not curbed. Scientists predict a "peak glacier extinction" with up to 4,000 glaciers melting each year. Currently, about 750 glaciers disappear annually, but this could increase fivefold if temperatures rise by 4 degrees Celsius. Even if the Paris Agreement's 1.5C warming limit is met, the world could still lose 2,000 glaciers a year, resulting in just over half of the planet's glaciers remaining by 2100. The study, published at the close of the UN’s International Year of Glacier Preservation, underscores the urgent need for ambitious climate policy.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pakistan 40% Nature Climate Change 60% United Nations Environment Programme 60% Paris Agreement 70% UN ×280%

Keywords

glaciers 100% global warming 90% melting 80% climate change 70% peak glacier extinction 60% paris agreement 50% temperature rise 50% climate policy 40% un environment programme 40%