World Water Day Emphasizes the Critical Need to Preserve Glaciers for the Future
World Water Day, observed annually on March 22 since 1993, serves as a United Nations initiative aimed at highlighting the importance of saving water resources. A key objective of this observance is to champion the goals of Sustainable Development...
TroibNews
World Water Day, observed annually on March 22 since 1993, serves as a United Nations initiative aimed at highlighting the importance of saving water resources. A key objective of this observance is to champion the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure water and sanitation access for all by 2030.
Each year, UN-Water, the UN's coordinating body for water and sanitation issues, selects a theme for World Water Day. In 2023, the 33rd iteration of this observance centers around the theme "Glacier Preservation."
Glaciers, which are large bodies of ice formed from accumulated snow, are capable of movement. In regions with high altitudes or latitudes, snow that remains throughout the year undergoes physical changes to transform into ice. When the ice accumulates to a certain thickness, it starts to flow due to gravitational forces, thereby forming a glacier.
As reported by China Media Group, while 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water, merely 2.5 percent qualifies as freshwater, and less than 0.3 percent of this freshwater is usable. Approximately 2.7 billion individuals worldwide face significant water scarcity challenges.
Around 70 percent of the Earth's freshwater is locked in snow or ice. The UN WWD Report, released on March 21, indicates that 2 billion people rely on the natural reservoirs provided by melting glaciers for their freshwater needs.
Unfortunately, glaciers globally have been retreating since the mid-19th century. The World Meteorological Organization noted that the period from 2022 to 2024 has recorded the highest losses in glacier mass to date.
In China, the total area covered by glaciers was about 46,000 square kilometers, encompassing approximately 69,000 individual glaciers around 2020. This figure represents a 26 percent decrease in glacier area since the 1960s, decreasing at a rate of 4.8 percent per decade, with the Third Chinese Glacier Inventory revealing that about 7,000 small glaciers have completely disappeared during this time.
Several factors contribute to the melting of glaciers. A primary driver is global warming, which results in increased temperatures that expedite the melting process. Additionally, seasonal fluctuations—hotter summers hastening melting and winters with less snow accumulation creating a mass imbalance—are significant. The presence of black carbon from air pollution also diminishes the ice's reflectivity, further accelerating melt rates.
The repercussions of glacier melting are profound. The increased flow of meltwater into the oceans contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal ecosystems and communities. While initial surges in river flow may occur, there is a risk of future freshwater shortages. Furthermore, the retreat of glaciers affects habitats, endangering various plant and animal species. This phenomenon can also lead to more extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts.
The UN WWD Report emphasized the critical need for substantial reductions in carbon emissions. China has been proactive in initiatives aimed at resource protection.
From March 22 to 28, the 38th "China Water Week" will take place, featuring a wide range of activities across the country designed to enhance public awareness of the importance of water conservation and protection.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this article for TROIB News
Each year, UN-Water, the UN's coordinating body for water and sanitation issues, selects a theme for World Water Day. In 2023, the 33rd iteration of this observance centers around the theme "Glacier Preservation."
Glaciers, which are large bodies of ice formed from accumulated snow, are capable of movement. In regions with high altitudes or latitudes, snow that remains throughout the year undergoes physical changes to transform into ice. When the ice accumulates to a certain thickness, it starts to flow due to gravitational forces, thereby forming a glacier.
As reported by China Media Group, while 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water, merely 2.5 percent qualifies as freshwater, and less than 0.3 percent of this freshwater is usable. Approximately 2.7 billion individuals worldwide face significant water scarcity challenges.
Around 70 percent of the Earth's freshwater is locked in snow or ice. The UN WWD Report, released on March 21, indicates that 2 billion people rely on the natural reservoirs provided by melting glaciers for their freshwater needs.
Unfortunately, glaciers globally have been retreating since the mid-19th century. The World Meteorological Organization noted that the period from 2022 to 2024 has recorded the highest losses in glacier mass to date.
In China, the total area covered by glaciers was about 46,000 square kilometers, encompassing approximately 69,000 individual glaciers around 2020. This figure represents a 26 percent decrease in glacier area since the 1960s, decreasing at a rate of 4.8 percent per decade, with the Third Chinese Glacier Inventory revealing that about 7,000 small glaciers have completely disappeared during this time.
Several factors contribute to the melting of glaciers. A primary driver is global warming, which results in increased temperatures that expedite the melting process. Additionally, seasonal fluctuations—hotter summers hastening melting and winters with less snow accumulation creating a mass imbalance—are significant. The presence of black carbon from air pollution also diminishes the ice's reflectivity, further accelerating melt rates.
The repercussions of glacier melting are profound. The increased flow of meltwater into the oceans contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal ecosystems and communities. While initial surges in river flow may occur, there is a risk of future freshwater shortages. Furthermore, the retreat of glaciers affects habitats, endangering various plant and animal species. This phenomenon can also lead to more extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts.
The UN WWD Report emphasized the critical need for substantial reductions in carbon emissions. China has been proactive in initiatives aimed at resource protection.
From March 22 to 28, the 38th "China Water Week" will take place, featuring a wide range of activities across the country designed to enhance public awareness of the importance of water conservation and protection.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this article for TROIB News
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