On 20 March 2025, the Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) project participated in the first joint celebration of the World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day. Organized as part of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, the event highlighted the interconnected challenges of glacier retreat, water security, and climate change. It served as a platform for dialogue and action on the impacts of the melting cryosphere on global water, food, and energy systems.
CliC was represented by Keith Alverson (IPO Executive Director) and Scientific Steering Group members Mine Islar, Miriam Jackson, and Yao Tandong. Their participation underscored CliC’s role in advancing cryospheric science and ensuring that glacier preservation remains central to international climate discussions.
“The joint celebration of glaciers and water reminds us that cryosphere change is not a distant issue — it directly affects water security, livelihoods, and resilience worldwide.”
The event also included a brainstorming session to lay the groundwork for the upcoming Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034). This initiative, supported by UNESCO and partners, aims to mobilize research, policy, and public engagement to address the accelerating impacts of cryosphere change. Displays of cryospheric art and educational exhibits further emphasized the cultural and scientific importance of glaciers.
By linking glaciers and water security, the celebration reinforced the urgency of integrated climate action. For communities worldwide — from mountain regions dependent on meltwater to coastal areas threatened by sea level rise — the message was clear: protecting glaciers is inseparable from safeguarding water and resilience.
