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News– The 2025 UN world water development report says that Retreating glaciers threaten the food and water supply of 2 billion people around the world.
About United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR)
- It is UN-Water’s flagship report on water and sanitation issues.
- It provides a comprehensive assessment of global freshwater resources, usage, and management.
- It is published annually on World Water Day (March 22), with each edition focusing on a specific theme and providing policy recommendations.
- It is published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water and its production is coordinated by the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme.
WWDR 2025 – Key Highlights
Theme: Mountains and Glaciers – Water Towers
Key findings:
- Warming of mountain ranges:
- All mountain ranges have exhibited warming trends since the early 20th century.
- Rising temperatures lead to more rainfall instead of snowfall, causing earlier snowmelt and thinner snowpacks.
- Glacial melt and “Peak Water” Phenomenon:
- Short-term impact: Increased river flow in glacier-fed basins due to rapid melting.
- Long-term impact: Once a “peak water” threshold is crossed, river flows begin to decline.
- Strong evidence suggests this- “peak water” point has already been passed in the Tropical Andes, Western Canada, and Swiss Alps.
- Glacier retreat and loss:
- Many glaciers have disappeared entirely.
- Colombia has lost 90% of its glacial area since the mid-19th century.
- Projections indicate that global warming of 1.5-4°C will result in 26-41% glacier mass loss (2015-2100).
Impact assessment:
- Water and food security:
- 2 billion people depend on glacier-fed water sources for drinking and agriculture.
- Two-thirds of global irrigated agriculture could be affected by declining snowfall and glacial retreat.
- Environmental and disaster risks:
- There is a increased risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
- Local ecosystems under stress due to declining freshwater availability.
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