Preserving the World’s Glaciers for Future Generations

Glaciers are among the most vital yet fragile components of our planet’s ecosystem. Covering approximately 700,000 square kilometers, more than 275,000 glaciers worldwide serve as crucial freshwater reserves, storing about 70% of the Earth’s freshwater. However, these natural water towers are disappearing at an alarming pace due to climate change. A new study published in Nature reveals that glaciers across the globe are now melting at more than twice the rate recorded in the early 2000s. Between 2000 and 2011, glaciers lost ice at a rate of approximately 255 billion tons annually, which accelerated to 346 billion tons per year in the following decade. Alarmingly, 2023 marked the highest recorded mass loss, with glaciers shedding an unprecedented 604 billion tons of ice. In total, over 7 trillion tons of ice have been lost since 2000.

This rapid decline poses a severe threat to long-term water security for millions of people, underscoring the urgent need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement effective adaptation strategies. Additionally, glacial lake outburst floods?(GLOFs) caused by the failure of a a “dam” (ice or buildup of rock-earth banks) at the front of melting glaciers, threaten millions of people globally.? While all countries with glaciers are susceptible to this problem, central Asia, the Andes regions of South America and those countries in Europe that have glaciers in the Alps have been identified as the regions at greatest risk

Compounding this crisis, the escalating melt of mountain glaciers and the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica is driving sea level rise. Even modest increases in sea level can worsen coastal flooding and endanger human settlements, biodiversity, and global economies. The combined impact of glacier loss and rising seas highlights the need for a coordinated global response to mitigate environmental damage and protect vulnerable regions.

Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2025 the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation (IYGP 2025) under the leadership of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UNESCO . This global initiative aims to raise awareness of the critical role glaciers play in the climate system and the hydrological cycle while tackling the challenges posed by their accelerated melting. As part of this effort, March 21 has been designated as the annual World Day for Glaciers, providing a vital opportunity for the international community to engage in joint initiatives and policy-making that prevent further glacier retreat.

IYGP 2025 seeks to mobilize worldwide initiatives to prevent further glacier loss, preserve their ecosystem functions, and ensure the sustainable use of water resources. Expanding global glacier monitoring systems, improving early warning mechanisms for glacier-related hazards, and promoting sustainable water resource management in glacier-dependent regions are central to this initiative. These efforts are essential to maintaining water security for over two billion people who rely on mountain snow and ice to replenish their rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

The preservation of glaciers is not only a matter of environmental sustainability but also a key factor in economic stability and the safeguarding of cultural heritage and livelihoods. Beyond water security, glaciers hold irreplaceable archives of human, environmental, and climate history. Their ancient ice preserves invaluable records of past climate conditions, atmospheric composition, and even human activity spanning thousands of years. Consequently, the disappearance of these frozen time capsules not only threatens scientific research but also results in the loss of unique ecosystems and biodiversity that have evolved in these specialized environments.

To ensure effective preservation efforts, comprehensive scientific monitoring and data-driven policymaking are essential. In this regard, WMO’s Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) plays a crucial role in fostering international coordination and partnerships to enhance cryosphere data collection, monitoring, and analysis. Through programs such as the Executive Council Panel on Polar and High Mountain Observation, Research and Services (EC-PHORS) and the Arctic-HYCOS project, WMO is strengthening global efforts to study and respond to changes in the polar and high-mountain environments. These initiatives provide essential data for Earth system monitoring, modeling, and prediction, enabling better climate research and forecasting.

In line with global efforts to tackle these challenges, the UAE is intensifying its commitment to polar research with the launch of the Emirates Polar Program in November 2024. By acceding to the Antarctic Treaty (ATS) in the following month, the UAE has further solidified its role in global scientific collaboration, gaining the right to conduct research in Antarctica. This strategic move enhances the nation’s contributions to polar science, with key initiatives such as establishing the “Polar Research Center” at Khalifa University, forging strategic international partnerships, and participating in global polar missions.

Such efforts underscore the essential role that nations, alongside governments, scientific institutions, private sector organizations, and civil society, must play in glacier preservation. Through collaborative action and increased awareness, the international community must come together to safeguard these vital resources for future generations. As glaciers disappear faster than ever, the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 must serve as a wake-up call to the world. By committing to scientific research, policy action, and global cooperation, we can work toward a more resilient future where these critical freshwater reserves are preserved for generations to come.