World Water Day highlights how essential water is for everyone on the planet, each year on 22nd March. This year the theme is 'Glacier Preservation'.
Around 70% of the Earth's freshwater is snow and ice, and over 2 billion people rely on water from glaciers, snowmelt and mountain run-off. Glaciers are essential sources of freshwater, as the meltwater is used for drinking water, agriculture, energy production and is an essential component of healthy ecosystems. The increased rate of melting glaciers leads to uncertainties around water availability, impacting communities and ecosystems. It also exacerbates extremes within the water cycle.
The three key messages this year are:
Glaciers are melting faster than ever - climate change is speeding up melting, leading to a more unpredictable and extreme water cycle.
Glacial retreat threatens devastation - changing meltwater flows causes floods, sea level rise, droughts, landslides and damages ecosystems.
Glacier preservation is a survival strategy - we need to work together to reduce emissions and manage meltwater sustainably.
On a personal note, being able to observe the glacier Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier) in New Zealand was a breath-taking and unforgettable experience. But seeing the glacier in 2024 was bittersweet, affected by the knowledge that it has retreat around 3km in 100 years, and will continue to do so under the warming conditions brought about by climate change. So this World Water Day, take a moment to appreciate our incredible glaciers, and what they do for both people and planet.
