UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have launched the International Year of Glacier Conservation initiative, aimed at raising awareness of the critical role of glaciers in the climate system and the planet’s water balance.
Glaciers, covering more than 700,000 km², contain about 70% of the world’s fresh water. However, their area is rapidly shrinking due to climate change.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, glaciers will continue to melt in all regions of the world throughout the 21st century.
The International Year of Glacier Conservation, led by UNESCO and WMO, will unite the efforts of more than 75 international organizations and 35 countries. The organizations call on governments, the scientific community, businesses and civil society to actively participate in the initiative.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
