European Atlas of the Seas greatly enjoyed the Science is Wonderful! science fair. We were delighted to speak with visitors of all ages, impressed by what young people know about the ocean, inspired by their curiosity to know more, and thankful for all their great ideas for working towards a sustainable ocean!
This week we celebrate World Water Day 2025 and World Meteorological Day 2025. We devote this day to the conservation and development of water resources, with special attention to glacier preservation. Glaciers are a natural freshwater reservoir as they account for 70% of our available freshwater [1]. Glaciers have a wide impact on society and the environment, as their rate of meltwater affects our drinking water, the agricultural industry, and not to mention the health of many ecosystems [2]. Glacial preservation is vital, not just for our social well-being, but also for cultural heritage and the security of freshwater.
For this Map of the Week, we look at how glaciers influence Europe’s rivers and lakes and their runoff trends, ultimately affecting the trends of the sea level. Glaciers have been melting at a significant rate due to climate change, releasing large amounts of freshwater into rivers and lakes leading to higher water levels and increased flow rates, especially during warmer months [3]. The additional meltwater from glaciers contributes to higher river runoff, which is the movement of rivers, lakes and streams to the seas and ocean. Higher runoff is especially in major rivers like the Rhine, Rhone, Po and Danube. This runoff will mean more fresh water is pumped into the ocean, increasing the sea level. In Europe, this sea level rise can exacerbate coastal erosion, increase the frequency of flooding, and impact low-lying areas. Over time, as glaciers continue to shrink, the contribution of glacial meltwater to river runoff will decrease, potentially leading to reduced water availability during dry periods.
In order to understand and protect glaciers, our freshwater resources, and the rest of our environment, it is crucial to prioritize international scientific cooperation and monitoring networks, enabling data-driven decisions and the safeguarding of water security and our planet’s future.
For more information, you can explore the following
European Directives: Water Framework Directive & European Water Resilience Strategy
Unique Initiatives: Learn about the Space for Adapting the River Scheldt to Climate Change (Sparc) LIFE project, SIGMA Plan, and the ‘Room for the River’ programme.
JPI Oceans Publication: Read about the first European Sea Level Rise assessment in this publication.
The trends in river flow and relative sea level trends were provided by EMODnet, and the EU rivers and lakes data were provided by JRC.
References
[3] World Meteorological Organization, Glaciers and Ice Caps