How Much Has the Level of the Seas and Oceans Rised in the 21st Century? Experts Present Data

These are not the only consequences of melting glaciers. Experts point out that it also has a huge impact on drinking water supplies. "Around 2 billion people depend on water from melting glaciers, so their retreat is a huge social problem," explains Shepherd. "It's not just about changing the landscape. Glaciers play a key role in our daily lives," he notes.

Glaciers, as the researchers note, are also a significant source of energy. "In Iceland, for example, as much as 70 percent of electricity comes from hydroelectric plants that use water from melting glaciers. A similar situation occurs in the Andes and in parts of Europe, such as Switzerland," we read.

Scientists note that melting glaciers is the second largest contributor to sea level rise after ocean warming. "This research is worrying because it predicts further glacier loss. Two centimetres may seem small, but that is only the contribution of small glaciers, not all of the ice on our planet, including Greenland and Antarctica," says Professor Martin Siegert of the University of Exeter.

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Experts also emphasize that glaciers are a kind of indicator of climate change. "They are a kind of biometer of climate change, so the results of these studies are a measure of the impact that climate change has had over the last 20 years," emphasizes Gourmelen. "Tracking their fate will allow us to assess the effectiveness of the actions taken to protect the climate," he adds.