What To Know
- 2025 has been declared the ‘International Year of Glacial Preservation‘ by the United Nations, aiming to raise global awareness about the critical role glaciers play on Earth.
- The vital role of glaciers on our planet and climateThere are 275,000 glaciers spread across every continent.
- They are a primary source of freshwater, storing 70% of our reserves, which is essential for plant, animal, and human life.
2025 has been declared the ‘International Year of Glacial Preservation’ by the United Nations, aiming to raise global awareness about the critical role glaciers play on Earth. But why is it so urgent to save them?
2025: the year of glaciers!
Alongside this international declaration, a new ‘World Glacier Day’ will be observed annually on March 21. While glaciers may seem distant, their impact is far-reaching across the globe.
the vital role of glaciers on our planet and climate
There are 275,000 glaciers spread across every continent. They are a primary source of freshwater, storing 70% of our reserves, which is essential for plant, animal, and human life.
glacial melt destabilizes land
The melting of glaciers not only diminishes our water reserves but also destabilizes land. Many regions face increased risks of landslides and flooding due to permafrost thawing. In polar areas, cities are sinking, roads become unusable due to deformation, and energy transport becomes more complex and costly.
- Increased risk of landslides
- Sinking urban areas in polar regions
- Costly energy transportation challenges
a rising threat: sea level rise from glacial melt
The decline in these massive ice formations contributes to rising sea levels, which have increased by an average of 8 inches since 1900. Coastal populations are threatened, affecting immigration, agriculture, energy production, tourism, and economies globally.
impact on weather patterns
The Earth’s ice volume influences atmospheric circulation through its cooling effect. Additionally, glacial runoff alters ocean currents, influencing weather patterns worldwide.
biodiversity under threat from melting glaciers
Melted glaciers expose new land that becomes habitats for plants and animals previously absent while submerging other areas underwater. This disrupts existing ecosystems, impacting both biodiversity and human populations reliant on these resources.
- Ecosystem disruption
- Emergence of new habitats
a window into Earth’s climate history
For over 130 years, data from glaciers have provided insights into Earth’s climatic changes. Their retreat reduces the availability of crucial scientific data needed to understand ongoing climate evolution.
