UN: World's glacier mass continues to shrink fast

GENEVA — All 19 of the world's glacier regions experienced a net mass loss in 2024 for the third consecutive year, the United Nations said on Friday, warning that saving the planet's glaciers was now a matter of "survival".

Five of the last six years have seen the most rapid glacier retreat on record, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said on the inaugural World Day for Glaciers.

"Preservation of glaciers is not just an environmental, economic and societal necessity, it's a matter of survival," said WMO chief Celeste Saulo.