By: Paz Coliguante / Translated by: Adriana Serrano
The UN has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, a crucial step in raising awareness about the importance of the planet’s vast freshwater reserves. Glaciers, which store around 70% of the world’s freshwater, are essential to the sustainability of ecosystems and the human communities’ wellbeing. Although the planet is composed mostly of water, only 2.5% of it is freshwater, and of that amount, most is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps.
The thaw: A growing threat
Glaciers are essential not only as a source of drinking water, but also for their role as climate regulators. Their vast white surface reflects solar radiation, contributing to the thermal balance of the planet and mitigating the effects of global warming. Nevertheless, the climate crisis is accelerating their melting, which endangers the water supply of millions of people and the stability of ecosystems. In 2024, global temperatures exceeded the 1.5 degrees of warming since the pre-industrial era, intensifying the threat to these vital water reserves.
The emergency in Latin America
In the Southern Andes region, shared by Argentina and Chile, are some of the largest glaciers of the world. In Argentina, these glaciers feed 36 watersheds that supply water to over 1800 localities and 7 million people, about 18% of the national population. However, their rapid melting threatens not only the supply of water for human consumption, but also key economic activities such as agriculture and tourism.
Global action for glacier conservation
The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation aims to mobilize the global community to stop the glaciers’ melting and protect these vital resources. It will seek to improve monitoring systems and promote sustainable management of water resources in glacial regions. Additionally, this initiative highlights the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to stabilize the climate and protect the future of glaciers and the communities that depend on them.
A commitment to the future
As Agostina Rossi Serra of Greenpeace Argentina states: “Glaciers are much more than an impressive postcard; they are true guardians of the planet’s water.”The protection of these giant masses of ice is a collective responsibility that involves not only environmental organizations but all citizens, as every action counts toward preserving these essential reserves and ensuring a future in harmony with the planet.
The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation is a unique opportunity to think about the importance of these ice formations and act urgently to ensure the availability of water for future generations.
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