Melting glaciers pose a growing threat to billions’ food and water security, according to the United Nations’ 2025 World Water Development Report, titled Mountains and Glaciers: Water Towers. The report underscores the critical role of mountain regions, which contribute 55–60% of the planet’s annual freshwater flow and support the needs of 2 billion people worldwide.
Described as the world’s “water towers,” mountain ecosystems are vital for sustaining life—providing drinking water and supporting agriculture, sanitation, and biodiversity. Yet, these ecosystems are increasingly under pressure due to rising global temperatures and accelerated glacier melt.
In a press release, UNESCO highlighted the urgency of preserving these sources: “As the world’s water towers, mountains provide life-sustaining freshwater to billions of people and countless ecosystems; their critical role in sustainable development cannot be ignored.”
The report also illuminates existing water insecurity: As of 2022, 2.2 billion people lacked access to safe drinking water, and 3.5 billion were without safely managed sanitation. With glaciers retreating and freshwater sources dwindling, these numbers could worsen dramatically without urgent global action.
The message is clear — protecting mountain water systems is no longer optional; it is essential for ensuring human survival, ecosystem health, and global water security. Read More
News Credit: EcoWatch
Picture Credit: Sebnem Coskun / Anadolu via Getty Images