United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
The 2025 United Nations World Water Development Report was published by UNESCO. It highlights the crucial role of mountains and alpine glaciers (water towers) in sustaining ecosystems, economies, and societies. Forests cover 40% of mountain areas, with grasslands and alpine tundra at higher elevations. Two-thirds of global irrigated agriculture depends on mountain runoff. Mountain permafrost stores 66 Pg of soil organic carbon, 4.5% of the global pool. Mountains host 25 of 34 biodiversity hotspots, preserving vital plant gene pools. Glacier loss threatens water security, with Hindu Kush Himalayas projected to lose 50% of glaciers by 2100. Watermelon snow (glacier blood) effect accelerates melting due to red algae blooms. Urbanization disrupts the hydrological cycle and amplifies ecological disasters. Atmospheric pollution increases black carbon levels in ice cores and lake sediments.
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