Letter of the Day | Glaciers critical for well-being of the planet
Published:Tuesday | March 25, 2025 | 12:07 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Nearly two billion people rely on water from glaciers, snow-melt and mountain run-off for drinking, agriculture, and energy production. The World Meteorological Organization states that in 2023, glaciers lost more than 600 gigatons of water, the largest mass loss registered in 50 years.
Glaciers are melting faster than ever. As the planet gets hotter, our frozen world is shrinking, making the water cycle more unpredictable. For billions of people, meltwater flows are changing, causing floods, droughts, landslides and sea level rise. Countless communities and ecosystems are at risk of devastation. As we work together to mitigate and adapt to climate change, glacier preservation is a top priority. The global community must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow down glacial retreat. Additionally, we must manage meltwater more sustainably. Saving our glaciers is a survival strategy for people and the planet.
World Water Day, observed on March 22, focused attention on the importance of fresh water and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis, in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
This year, World Water Day focused on glacier preservation. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization were the UN lead agencies for the celebration. Glaciers serve as natural freshwater reservoirs, releasing meltwater that supports drinking water supplies, agriculture, industry, and healthy ecosystems. They provide essential benefits, such as climate regulation and protection from natural hazards. Preserving glaciers is vital for the well-being of people worldwide. Through the implementation of sustainable glacier management and monitoring practices, humanity can protect these frozen reservoirs that still hold approximately 70 per cent of Earth’s fresh water. Implementing sustainable management practices and fostering international scientific cooperation are vital steps in preserving these critical water sources, ensuring long-term prosperity and promoting global peace.
Glaciers are critical to life, the melted ice is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems. But, rapidly melting glaciers are causing uncertainty to water flows, with profound impacts on people and the planet. Global reductions in carbon emissions and local strategies to adapt to shrinking glaciers are essential. We must work together to put glacier preservation at the core of our plans to tackle climate change and the global water crisis.
The international community is being urged to give more support to the global campaign on ‘Glacier Preservation’. In fact, governments must redouble their efforts to find creative ways to increase water conservation. This will counter the negative culture rooted in the normalisation of water wastage. Undoubtedly, global education systems also need to place more focus on environmental matters. We need everyone, from individuals and families to companies and governments, to do what they can to reduce global warming and adapt to shrinking glaciers.
We should all play our part in addressing the global water crisis.
WAYNE CAMPBELL