Anika Beaudry
The Weather Network
March 21, 2025
Glaciers are vital components of Earth’s ecosystems—providing freshwater to over 2 billion people across the globe, as well as regulating sea levels and support biodiversity. Therefore, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has declared March 21 to be World Day for Glaciers.
The United Nations World Water Development Report 2025, published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water, reveals the extent to which climate disruption, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable activities are transforming mountain environments at an unprecedented rate, threatening the water resources upon which billions of people and countless ecosystems depend. There is now an urgent need for international cooperation and adaptation strategies and actions to face the unfolding crisis in our mountains and glaciers.
Global Water Futures and the UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability have contributed significantly to this report, specifically for Chapters 2 and 8. We would like to draw particular attention to the contribution of Zoë Johnson (HQP, Early Career Scientist) as first author for these chapters.