World Day for Glaciers: Safeguarding the Planet's 'cold storage'
Glaciers play a vital role in Earth's ecosystem, functioning as crucial freshwater reservoirs, regulating sea levels, and supporting biodiversity. Over 2 billion people depend on glaciers and seasonal snowmelt for their drinking water, agricultural...
TroibNews 
Glaciers play a vital role in Earth's ecosystem, functioning as crucial freshwater reservoirs, regulating sea levels, and supporting biodiversity. Over 2 billion people depend on glaciers and seasonal snowmelt for their drinking water, agricultural practices, and hydropower generation.
Often referred to as nature's water towers, glaciers store approximately 70 percent of the planet's freshwater. The seasonal melting of these glaciers is instrumental in sustaining rivers, forests, and farmland.
Unfortunately, rising global temperatures are causing glaciers to melt at an accelerating pace, with rapid loss already impacting communities around the globe. Scientists caution that by 2050, one-third of the world's glaciers could vanish, posing severe threats to water security and ecosystems.
In response to this crisis, the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation, while March 21 is recognized as World Day for Glaciers. Furthermore, the decade from 2025 to 2034 has been declared the "Decade of Action for Cryospheric Science," aiming to enhance global awareness regarding the critical role of glaciers in climate and hydrological systems, while addressing the urgent challenges linked to accelerated glacier melt.
China has taken substantial steps to monitor and protect its glaciers. Currently, western China is home to 48,571 glaciers, which span a total area of 51,800 square kilometers and hold an estimated ice volume of 4,300-4,700 cubic kilometers. These glaciers are predominantly found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, particularly within the Himalayas, Hengduan Mountains, Kunlun Mountains, and Qilian Mountains, with the Kunlun Mountains system hosting the highest number at 8,922 glaciers.
However, climate change presents a significant threat. Over the past five decades, the glacier area in China’s arid western regions has diminished by 18 percent. According to Wang Feiteng, a researcher at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, projections indicate that by the close of this century, over 70 percent of these glaciers could vanish.
In light of this accelerating glacier retreat, China is implementing various measures, most notably focused on energy conservation and emission reduction.
Scientists are leveraging satellite technology and on-the-ground measurements to monitor changes in glaciers. Recently, researchers have experimented with innovative techniques such as covering glaciers with reflective materials to slow melting. A 2023 trial on the Tianshan No. 1 glacier demonstrated promising outcomes in decreasing ice loss.
Moreover, China has established several nature reserves dedicated to glacier conservation, including the Qomolangma, Sanjiangyuan, and Qilian Mountains national nature reserves, which help minimize direct human impact on glaciers.
International organizations are also stepping up their efforts to protect glaciers. The International Year of Glacier Preservation (IYGP) aims to gather experts and policymakers to enhance conservation strategies, with governments funding climate adaptation initiatives to alleviate the consequences of glacier loss.
In 2024, the Global Glacier Casualty List project was initiated through a collaborative effort involving Rice University, the University of Iceland, the Iceland Glaciological Society, the World Glacier Monitoring Service, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. This project has identified 18 at-risk glaciers worldwide that possess considerable scientific and socio-economic significance, with China’s Dagu Glacier recognized as the country’s sole representative.
"Artificial intelligence has enormous potential in glacier monitoring, change prediction and disaster early warning," Wang highlighted. AI technology is proving effective in predicting glacial lake floods, optimizing meltwater management, and assessing avalanche risks. Researchers are keen on establishing a global intelligent glacier monitoring network to facilitate real-time tracking and data sharing. Additionally, AI has the potential to bolster green, low-carbon development, aiding in the effort to curb glacier retreat and promote global ecological sustainability.
Protecting glaciers is essential for the well-being of future generations. Through collective global efforts, scientific inquiry, and the formulation of sustainable policies, these critical freshwater sources can be preserved.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Often referred to as nature's water towers, glaciers store approximately 70 percent of the planet's freshwater. The seasonal melting of these glaciers is instrumental in sustaining rivers, forests, and farmland.
Unfortunately, rising global temperatures are causing glaciers to melt at an accelerating pace, with rapid loss already impacting communities around the globe. Scientists caution that by 2050, one-third of the world's glaciers could vanish, posing severe threats to water security and ecosystems.
In response to this crisis, the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation, while March 21 is recognized as World Day for Glaciers. Furthermore, the decade from 2025 to 2034 has been declared the "Decade of Action for Cryospheric Science," aiming to enhance global awareness regarding the critical role of glaciers in climate and hydrological systems, while addressing the urgent challenges linked to accelerated glacier melt.
China has taken substantial steps to monitor and protect its glaciers. Currently, western China is home to 48,571 glaciers, which span a total area of 51,800 square kilometers and hold an estimated ice volume of 4,300-4,700 cubic kilometers. These glaciers are predominantly found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, particularly within the Himalayas, Hengduan Mountains, Kunlun Mountains, and Qilian Mountains, with the Kunlun Mountains system hosting the highest number at 8,922 glaciers.
However, climate change presents a significant threat. Over the past five decades, the glacier area in China’s arid western regions has diminished by 18 percent. According to Wang Feiteng, a researcher at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, projections indicate that by the close of this century, over 70 percent of these glaciers could vanish.
In light of this accelerating glacier retreat, China is implementing various measures, most notably focused on energy conservation and emission reduction.
Scientists are leveraging satellite technology and on-the-ground measurements to monitor changes in glaciers. Recently, researchers have experimented with innovative techniques such as covering glaciers with reflective materials to slow melting. A 2023 trial on the Tianshan No. 1 glacier demonstrated promising outcomes in decreasing ice loss.
Moreover, China has established several nature reserves dedicated to glacier conservation, including the Qomolangma, Sanjiangyuan, and Qilian Mountains national nature reserves, which help minimize direct human impact on glaciers.
International organizations are also stepping up their efforts to protect glaciers. The International Year of Glacier Preservation (IYGP) aims to gather experts and policymakers to enhance conservation strategies, with governments funding climate adaptation initiatives to alleviate the consequences of glacier loss.
In 2024, the Global Glacier Casualty List project was initiated through a collaborative effort involving Rice University, the University of Iceland, the Iceland Glaciological Society, the World Glacier Monitoring Service, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. This project has identified 18 at-risk glaciers worldwide that possess considerable scientific and socio-economic significance, with China’s Dagu Glacier recognized as the country’s sole representative.
"Artificial intelligence has enormous potential in glacier monitoring, change prediction and disaster early warning," Wang highlighted. AI technology is proving effective in predicting glacial lake floods, optimizing meltwater management, and assessing avalanche risks. Researchers are keen on establishing a global intelligent glacier monitoring network to facilitate real-time tracking and data sharing. Additionally, AI has the potential to bolster green, low-carbon development, aiding in the effort to curb glacier retreat and promote global ecological sustainability.
Protecting glaciers is essential for the well-being of future generations. Through collective global efforts, scientific inquiry, and the formulation of sustainable policies, these critical freshwater sources can be preserved.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
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