Glaciers melting faster than ever, risking a flood of consequences -- UN report br br Glaciers around the globe are melting faster than ever, with the last three years seeing the largest glacial mass loss on record, according to a UNESCO report released on March 21, 2025. The dramatic ice loss, totaling 9,000 gigatons since 1975, is expected to continue accelerating and could lead to a flood of economic, environmental and social problems as sea levels rise while key water sources dwindle. The accelerated melting has made mountain glaciers the largest contributors to sea level rise, put millions at risk of devastating floods and hurt water flows that billions depend on for hydroelectric energy and agriculture.