In 2024, a quiet yet historic event took place in the mountains of Venezuela – one that sent ripples across the climate science community. The country officially became the first in the world to lose all of its glaciers. Once home to six glaciers in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida, Venezuela’s last remaining glacier, known as La Corona or Humboldt Glacier, had shrunk below the minimum threshold to be considered a glacier. It is now classified as an “ice field”, too small, too thin, and too stagnant to move under its own weight or be reliably monitored throughout the year.
Photo: X / Extreme Temperatures Around The World
While this might sound like a tragic but isolated incident, it is far from it. Venezuela’s glacier loss is just the latest in a global pattern, one that countries across the ‘Global South’ are hearing loud and clear.
Climate change affects the whole world, but not equally. The countries and communities that have contributed the least to the crisis are often the ones suffering the most, while those that have benefited from decades of fossil fuel use are better insulated from its impacts. The world’s wealthiest nations, collectively known as the ‘Global North’, are responsible for more than half of all cumulative emissions since the Industrial Revolution. In fact, lifestyles in Europe, North America, and other high-income regions produce a carbon footprint 100 times larger than that of the world’s poorest countries combined.
In 2019, the top 10% of global emitters (771 million people) accounted for 68% of global CO₂ emissions, while the bottom 50% (nearly 4 billion people) were responsible for just 12%. Not only have developing countries contributed far less to global warming, they’ve also received far fewer of its benefits, like widespread access to energy and industrial growth.
Source: Climate Change and the Global Inequality of Carbon Emissions 1990-2020
But the injustice goes even deeper. Climate change is widening existing global inequalities. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, the poorest countries are also the most vulnerable to climate shocks: more extreme storms, heatwaves, food shortages, and rising sea levels Without urgent action, 350 million people globally will be left in extreme poverty by 2030. The burden is also deeply unequal within countries: Indigenous peoples, smallholder farmers, women, and children, many of whom are key to local food and ecosystem resilience, are being hit hardest. Despite producing up to 75% of food in some developing regions, small farmers are on the frontlines of droughts, floods, and crop failure.
Meanwhile, the crisis deepens. A 2024 global survey found that nearly 80% of climate scientists expect global warming to exceed 2.5°C by the end of this century, with some warning of a rise to 3°C. The World Meteorological Organization now predicts the planet is likely to temporarily surpass the 1.5°C limit within the next five years, and could hit 2°C or more by the 2030s. These figures aren’t just abstract – they mark the beginning of glacier loss, deadly heatwaves, food and water insecurity, and irreversible ecosystem collapse. Yet, the countries most affected often lack the financial and technological resources to adapt. This deep imbalance is driving environmental, social, and economic instability in lower-emitting nations that are least equipped to face such intensifying climate extremes.
Colombia: Racing Against Time
Colombia, one of the few tropical countries with glaciers, is rapidly heading toward the same fate as Venezuela. Since the late 19th century, Colombia has lost over 90% of its glacier area. From 13 only six glaciers remain today: Nevado del Ruiz, Tolima, Huila, Santa Isabel, Cocuy, and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Scientists now warn that Colombia may become glacier-free within the next 30 years. In some cases, even sooner. The Nevado del Ruiz glacier is especially telling: it has lost more than 90% of its ice since the second half of the 19th century, and it contains about 36% of the country’s total glacial coverage. Models suggest the Nevado de Santa Isabel may disappear before 2030, and others in the next two decades. But for Colombia, the issue goes deeper than disappearing ice. Glaciers are sacred to the indigenous communities in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. These ice formations are seen as living ancestors – keepers of balance and harmony in the natural world. Their loss is not only an environmental disaster but a profound cultural tragedy.
Tajikistan: The Melting Crown of Central Asia
While attention often falls on the polar regions or the Andes, few places are more threatened by glacier loss than Tajikistan. This small, mountainous country is home to over 8,000 glaciers, including Fedchenko, the longest glacier in the world outside of the polar regions. Tajikistan has already lost approximately 30% of its glacier area and 20% of its ice volume since 2000. Over1,000 glaciers have completely disappeared over the past two decades. The consequences are serious. Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, releasing meltwater during dry months when water is most needed for irrigation, hydropower, and daily life. Their loss threatens not only Tajikistan’s food and energy security but also that of the wider region, particularly rural communities that rely heavily on steady water flows from glacial streams for agriculture, drinking water, and daily life
Source: Zoï Environment Network
To raise awareness and foster global action, Tajikistan’s President, Emomali Rahmon, proposed the idea of declaring 2025 the UN International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2021. The proposal was adopted, and in May 2025, Tajikistan hosted the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe in May 2025. This was part of the United Nations’ International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, an initiative launched to spotlight the urgency of glacier loss and to promote climate-resilient solutions, especially for mountainous regions. The event brought together scientists, development partners, and policymakers to develop regional strategies for adaptation and risk management.
Adding to the urgency, Central Asia is heating nearly twice as fast as the global average. A major climate report projected that Tajikistan could experience more than 120 days of extreme heat each year by mid-century – and up to 165 days in some regions if global temperatures hit 2°C. In March 2025, the country experienced an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures soaring 15°C above normal. Some areas reached the 30s (°C) when they should have been deep in winter. According to climate scientists from World Weather Attribution, the heatwave was made at least 4°C hotter because of climate change.
What Happens When Glaciers Vanish?
The loss of glaciers doesn’t just impact high mountain regions, it creates a domino effect that touches millions of lives downstream.
Water Insecurity: Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, slowly releasing meltwater during dry seasons. As they vanish, so does a vital source of fresh water for millions of people in Central Asia, South America, and the Himalayas. This threatens irrigation, drinking water supplies, and energy production.
Food Production at Risk: Declining water resources directly impact agricultural yields. Farmers in glacier-dependent regions, including parts of Tajikistan and Colombia, face reduced crop outputs, rising food prices, and growing food insecurity. In Tajikistan alone, up to 27% of water reserves could disappear due to glacier loss, threatening rural livelihoods.
Energy Disruptions: Glacial meltwater is essential for hydropower generation in mountain-dependent countries, particularly Tajikistan, where more than 90% of electricity comes from hydropower fed by glacier-fed rivers like the Vakhsh and Amu Darya.
Initially, increased glacial runoff may temporarily boost hydropower output. However, as glaciers retreat and lose volume, long-term water supplies dwindle and seasonal variability increases, undermining hydropower reliability, especially during summer low-flow periods or icy winters.
This instability threatens not only local energy systems but also economic development and cross-border energy trade, especially in regions reliant on export and seasonal power exchanges.
While hydropower is often promoted as a clean energy source, the diminishing glacier supply turns a previously renewable asset into a shrinking risk – undermining energy security and resilience in already vulnerable mountain economies.
Natural Disasters: As glaciers melt, they often leave behind unstable glacial lakes. These can burst without warning, causing deadly floods that destroy homes, farmland, and lives. Such events are increasing in frequency and severity in Central Asia and the Himalayas.
Cultural and Ecosystem Loss: Glaciers are deeply embedded in local traditions and spiritual beliefs, especially among indigenous communities. Their disappearance severs cultural ties, while also destabilizing mountain ecosystems that rely on cold meltwater to survive.
Contribution to Sea-Level Rise: Though small in volume compared to polar ice, glaciers contribute significantly to sea-level rise. Between 2006 and 2016, glaciers contributed roughly 25-30% of global sea-level rise, making their decline a global, not just a local issue.
What Can Be Done?
While glacier retreat may be irreversible in the near term, especially under current levels of global warming, there are still critical actions that can be taken to mitigate further loss, adapt to changing realities, and build resilience, especially in countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
One of the most immediate priorities is investing in climate-resilient livelihoods for mountain communities that rely heavily on glacier-fed water for agriculture, energy, and drinking supplies. In countries like Tajikistan and Colombia, this means developing alternative water storage systems (such as rainwater harvesting), promoting drought-resistant farming practices, and supporting smallholder farmers, many of whom are women, through technical assistance and targeted funding.
At the same time, strengthening glacier monitoring and early warning systems is essential. As melting glaciers leave behind unstable glacial lakes, the risk of catastrophic floods increases. Mapping these lakes, assessing risk levels, and installing early-warning technologies can help minimize the damage from such disasters. These systems must be scaled up through regional cooperation, particularly in transboundary mountain regions like Central Asia and the Himalayas. An example of this Tajikistan, Nepal, and Pakistan, who have shared their best practices and have pledged to strengthen monitoring systems, improve early warning mechanisms for glacial lake floods, and support climate-resilient livelihoods in high-altitude regions.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains the most fundamental long-term solution. While individual choices, like flying less, being mindful of consumption, and reducing energy use, can help lower one’s personal carbon footprint, the greatest impact comes from supporting systemic solutions. This includes voting for climate-forward policies, pushing institutions and workplaces to adopt sustainable practices, and backing clean energy transitions.
Finally, raising awareness remains a powerful tool. Whether through education, community engagement, or simply sharing credible information, helping others understand the importance of glaciers, and the communities that depend on them, can mobilize support and build political momentum. Campaigns like #SaveOurSnow in the Hindu Kush–Himalaya region and Tajikistan’s leadership in declaring 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation are strong examples of how local voices can influence global conversations.
Final Thoughts
Glaciers may seem like remote wonders, far removed from daily life, but their fate is tightly interwoven with our own. Whether it’s the last ice field in Venezuela, a disappearing glacier in Colombia, or the melting peaks of Tajikistan and the Alps, the message is clear: we are at a turning point.
Preserving glaciers is not just about saving ice, it’s about saving water, food, cultures, and futures. As individuals, organizations, and communities, we must raise awareness, push for stronger climate commitments, and support those on the frontlines of this melt. Every choice matters. Every voice counts. The melt is irreversible, but the outcome is not.