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The United Nations World Water Development Report 2025
For billions of people, mountain meltwater is essential for drinking water and sanitation, food and energy security, and the integrity of the environment.
Image: UN Water
Preserving glaciers at over 3,000 metres through climate protection
Strengthened climate protection on a global level could preserve more than a quarter of the ice existing today in the Swiss Alps. Researchers have written about this in a new fact sheet from the Swiss Academy of Sciences that outlines the current level of knowledge concerning glacial melting in the Alps, the diverse effects of this and possible courses of action. In particular, glaciers at over 3,000 metres above sea level could be preserved in the long term. The fact sheet will be published on 21 March 2025 to mark the first "International Glacier Day". The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.
Image: Jürgen Merz, @glacionautSwiss Glaciers
The Swiss Alps are characterised by glaciers. Their retreat influences the landscape and tourism, harbours natural hazards, lowers the volume of water available in summer and even has an impact on the ocean. The extent to which the Alpine glaciers are retreating and whether they will eventually disappear depends on climate change and, consequently, global climate protection. The factsheet outlines the level of knowledge concerning glacial melting and its impact on society and, additionally, illustrates available options and courses of action.
