Launch of the World Day for Glaciers and of the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences

21 March 2025 marks the first-ever World Day for Glaciers, celebrated in tandem with World Water Day on 22 March, as part of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 (IYGP). This year also kicks off the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025-2034), an initiative set to stimulate international scientific cooperation and foster sustainable development efforts in response to the alarming impact of climate change on glaciers, ice sheets and permafrost.

Glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate, posing risks for billions of people in relation to water stability. The purpose of the World Day for Glaciers and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences is to encourage us all to act to preserve the vital role of glaciers in sustaining life on Earth for generations to come. These initiatives provide a platform for international collaboration, allowing scientists, policy-makers and communities to work together for solutions to address the effects of climate change.

The International Science Council (ISC) has contributed through a concept note on socioeconomic impact, vulnerability and adaptation, presented by Johanna Grabow from ISC Affiliated Body, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). The aim of this session is to trigger brainstorming that will help shape a plan for the Decade. The contributing panellists expanded on:

• The links between science, culture and livelihoods.
• How science may need to interface with other knowledge systems.
• The value of foresighting to enable adaptation in the ‘right’ direction.
• The importance of growing the next generation in both the technical aspects of challenges, but also in the critical dialogues needed to address them.

Additionally, the ISC will be delivering a statement at a high-level event  taking place on 21 March at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The ISC statement addresses the importance of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary science as keys to understanding causes of global water and climate challenges, recognizes the role of international initiatives and coalitions, and encourages scientists to be active in global decision-making processes. This event is a cornerstone of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, uniting global stakeholders to address the urgent challenges of water security and climate change. 

International days and decades play an important role in raising awareness and driving action on critical issues. The ISC actively supports various key initiatives, including the International Polar Year 2032, the UN International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (through its Science Missions for Sustainability, an officially endorsed Programme under the Decade) and now, the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, among others. These initiatives help ensure that action is taken to protect our planet, livelihoods, cultures and future.  

 Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

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