Spotlight on Glaciers: The Highlight of World Water Day 2025
World Water Day 2025 takes place this Saturday, the 22nd of March. The day recognises the importance of our limited freshwater and advocates for sustainable management of freshwater resources, aligning with SDG 6: Water and Sanitation for all. This year, World Water Day is focusing on the preservation of the world’s glaciers. So, why do glaciers matter?
Threat to Life
Glaciers hold 70% of Earth’s freshwater. Nearly 2 billion people rely on meltwater from glaciers, snowmelt and mountain run-off. Increasing meltwater rates caused by warming global temperatures affect natural disaster probability downhill from glaciers. Increased flood, drought and landslide risk have been observed as knock-on effects of changes to glacial melting patterns. For example, glacial meltwater often builds up creating large mountain lakes. These lakes are often dammed by weakening glacial ice or strained rock structures which eventually burst. The most recent glacial lake floods took place in the Himalayas in 2023 and Alaska in 2024, both of which cost loss of life and significant economic and infrastructural damage. Clearly, communities and their local ecosystems are at severe risk of devastation from climate-induced glacier changes.
Sea Level Rise
Glaciers are the largest sources of on-land fresh water. The rapid retreat of glaciers over the last fifty years has been a top contributor to sea level rise. Despite common belief, the melting of arctic sea ice does not influence sea level change. Instead, sea level rise is mainly caused by meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets entering the ocean, and thermal expansion of seawater contributes to global warming. Rising sea levels have been seen across the globe with coastal flood events worsening. Up to 500 million people are at risk from rising oceans. In Ireland, counties Cork, Kerry and Wexford face the greatest risk from sea level rise, while Dublin, Louth and Wexford face the highest relative vulnerability.
Climate Change Impact
The melting of glaciers and permafrost causes a positive feedback loop with climate change. Rapidly retreating ice allows for the release of trapped Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. Thus, accelerating climate change and causing glaciers to melt even faster. The primary GHG trapped is methane, which has 28 times more global warming potential than CO2. Examination of the Svalbard glaciers in Norway has estimated that emerging groundwater releases 2,300 tonnes of methane annually.
World Water Day for Businesses
Water is essential for businesses around the world and must be sustainably managed. Companies in Ireland and the UK can be proactive in managing their water usage by:
Conducting a water audit.
Reducing water use through building efficiency upgrades.
Reusing water with rainwater harvesting on company buildings and installation of greywater systems (ex. redirect water from cooling servers or sinks to flush toilets).
Educate employees on water conservation and building water maintenance.
World Water Day is often utilised by companies to gain public approval by committing to or reiterating their water conservation and sustainability goals. The day provides an opportunity to carry out and promote CSR and ESG actions. For example, Levi’s “Water<Less” campaign aimed to highlight reduced water consumption for their denim production.
Key Take Aways:
Glacier meltwater is critical to billions for drinking, agriculture, industry, energy production and health ecosystems.
Glaciers are melting faster than ever, creating a threat to life and speeding up both sea level rise and global warming.
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C can save two-thirds of UNESCO glaciers worldwide.
Glacier preservation is an essential climate action strategy to reduce greenhouse gases and sustainably provide meltwater for people and the planet.
Businesses can publicly benefit from supporting World Water Day and water conservation efforts.
