Glaciers, often described as Earth’s cold storage, are not only vital archives of our planet’s climate history but also essential sources of freshwater that sustain diverse ecosystems. As global warming accelerates, these majestic ice formations are retreating at an unprecedented pace, warning us of profound environmental changes.
In a major international move, the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation (IYGP). Starting in 2025, March 21 will be observed worldwide as the World Day for Glaciers, spotlighting the urgent need to conserve these critical natural treasures.
Over the past two decades, glacier researcher Wang Feiteng from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has documented these dramatic changes up close. Beginning in 2005, his annual expeditions, including a memorable journey to the No. 1 Glacier at the headwaters of the Urumqi River in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have revealed a stark transformation: from thick, enduring snow to exposed rock and debris as the glacier retreats by 5 to 8 meters each year.
Similar changes are evident at the No. 17 Glacier in Dagu, Sichuan Province, where its area shrank from 0.05 square kilometers in 2020 to just 0.03 square kilometers by 2024. With nearly 80% of glaciers in the Chinese mainland being small and highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, recent research indicates that many of these ice bodies, particularly those smaller than 0.5 square kilometers, could vanish by mid-century. This poses significant challenges for water supply, ecological stability, and regional safety.
The evolving story of glacier melt is a call to action for global citizens, policy makers, scientists, and innovators alike. As these ancient ice reservoirs diminish, the need for robust conservation measures and sustainable practices has never been clearer. The fight to preserve our glaciers is not only about safeguarding natural beauty—it is about protecting the delicate balance of our planet for future generations.
Reference(s):
Earth's 'cold storage': Glacier conservation and global action
cgtn.com
