Climate / Ice and Glaciers
World Glacier Day
See the wider topic page for connected events and context.
Overview
Cryosphere loss is now a water, risk and policy issue
The cryosphere stores around 70% of Earth’s freshwater, but glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost, sea ice and snow are shrinking fast. World Glacier Day exists because this loss now affects water security, ecosystems, infrastructure and disaster risk worldwide.
WGMS reports total glacier mass loss since 1975 of 9,583 +/- 1,211 Gt, equivalent to 26.4 +/- 3.3 mm of sea-level rise.
The United Nations designated 21 March as World Day for Glaciers and proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
The Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences is led by UNESCO to strengthen research, monitoring, education and policy action on cryospheric change.
The 2026 UNESCO Headquarters celebrations close IYGP 2025, present outcomes and introduce the first governance and action architecture of the Decade.
The 2026 programme connects glacier preservation with World Water Day high-level sessions focused on water, women and gender equality.