A Global Call to Protect the Planet’s Vanishing Ice
June 2025 In a landmark resolution, the United Nations has officially declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, placing a global spotlight on one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time: the rapid and irreversible melting of glaciers.
As climate change accelerates, glaciers — once considered eternal fixtures of the natural world — are retreating at an unprecedented rate. The UN’s declaration aims to raise awareness, mobilize action, and promote scientific collaboration to protect these critical water sources and climate regulators.
Why Glaciers Matter
Glaciers store nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater, supplying drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric energy to over 1.9 billion people. They also play a crucial role in regulating sea levels and maintaining regional climate patterns.
Without immediate action, the loss of glaciers will:
- Threaten water security in countries dependent on glacier-fed rivers (e.g., India, Peru, Pakistan).
- Disrupt ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
- Accelerate sea-level rise, endangering coastal cities and island nations.
Science and Urgency
Recent studies show:
- Over 50% of glaciers in the Alps may disappear by 2050.
- Greenland’s ice sheet is melting at seven times the rate it did in the 1990s.
- Glaciers in the Himalayas, known as the “Third Pole,” are projected to shrink by one-third by 2100, even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C.
Global Initiatives Underway
The International Year is expected to:
- Fund and expand glaciological research stations in critical regions.
- Support indigenous and local communities affected by melting glaciers.
- Promote educational campaigns that focus on water conservation and climate mitigation.
- Launch the Global Glacier Watch Network, a data-sharing platform for real-time glacier monitoring.
Participating countries are encouraged to:
- Host awareness events, school programs, and documentaries.
- Integrate glacier preservation into climate policy discussions and initiatives.
- Collaborate across borders on climate resilience strategies.
Looking Ahead
The year will culminate in the Global Glacier Preservation Summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, in December 2025, bringing together climate scientists, policymakers, youth leaders, and indigenous voices to chart a roadmap for glacier protection beyond 2025.
A Message from the UN Secretary-General
“Preserving glaciers is not just about saving ice. It’s about saving lives, protecting communities, and preserving the delicate balance of our shared Earth. The time to act is now.”
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