Glaciers are melting rapidly, reducing ice and freshwater supplies, increasing sea levels, and threatening global water security.

Ice loss from the world's glaciers has accelerated over the past decade, scientists said on Wednesday, warning that melting may be faster than previously expected in the coming years and drive sea levels higher.

The world's glaciers are melting faster than ever recorded under the impact of climate change, according to the most comprehensive scientific analysis to date. Mountain glaciers - frozen rivers of ice – act as a freshwater resource for millions of people worldwide and lock up enough water to raise global sea-levels by 32cm (13in) if they melted entirely.

Ice loss from the world's glaciers has accelerated over the past decade, scientists said on Wednesday, warning that melting may be faster than previously expected in the coming years and drive sea levels higher.

Ice loss from the world's glaciers has accelerated over the past decade, scientists said, warning that melting may be faster than previously expected.

Sea level rise is dangerous because it directly threatens coastal communities by increasing the frequency and severity of flooding events, displaces populations and disrupts ecosystems