According to the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), the Humboldt (or La Corona) - Venezuela’s last standing glacier in the Andes, has shrunk to a size that no longer qualifies it as a glacier.

• Cryosphere includes snow and ice on land, ice caps, glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice.

A glacier is an accumulation of ice and snow that slowly flows over land. 

• Glaciers are melting at a fast rate mainly due to global warming, warming of ocean water etc.
• Both Alpine (e.g. Hindu Kush Himalaya) and Ice sheets (e.g. Antarctica) have been impacted. 

Impacts of Glacier Melting

• Sea Level Rise: As per NASA, if all glaciers and ice sheets melted, global sea level would rise by more than 60 meters.
  • It will increase coastal erosion and elevate storm surge. 
• Biodiversity Loss: Walrus are losing their home and polar bears are spending more time on land, causing higher rates of conflict between people and bears.
• Disasters: Frequency of Glacial lake outbursts (GLOFs) in regions like Himalayas will increase. 
• Other: Reduction in water availability in rivers like Ganges, economic activities like fishing and navigation will be impacted etc.