“Glacial Melting Threatens Global Food and Water Supply: UN Report”

The United Nations has issued a warning about the threat posed by melting glaciers to the global supply of food and water. According to the 2025 World Water Development Report titled “Mountains and Glaciers: Water towers,” mountains play a crucial role in providing freshwater to billions of people and ecosystems around the world.

Mountains supply 55 to 60 percent of the planet’s annual freshwater flow, with two billion people relying on the water from these sources. The report emphasizes the importance of alpine glaciers and other mountain water sources in meeting basic human needs such as drinking water and sanitation.

Climate change is accelerating glacier melt, decreasing snow cover, increasing permafrost thaw, and causing more extreme rainfall events and natural hazards. This has led to more variable and uncertain water flows, highlighting the urgent need for improved mountain water governance.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that the last three years have seen the largest ever loss of glacier mass, with areas like the tropical Andes, Sweden, Norway, and Svalbard being among the most impacted. Glacial decline also affects the global water cycle and atmospheric circulation, which drives weather and precipitation patterns.

The reflective ice surface of glaciers is being replaced by dark soil, which absorbs heat and impacts the climate system. As a result, more support is needed for communities living in affected mountain regions to protect glaciers, rivers, and ensure a shared future for all.

The report calls for investment in the resilience of these communities to safeguard vital water resources and address food insecurity in mountainous regions. It is crucial to take action now to mitigate the impact of glacier melt and ensure a sustainable future for all.