By Thokozani Dlamini
PRETORIA, South Africa, Mar 21 2025 – World Water Day, celebrated on March 22 every year, raises awareness about the importance of water and advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme for 2025 focuses on glaciers — those grandiose ice masses that are a crucial part of the world’s water resources.

In this article, we explore the critical need for glacier preservation, how they help conserve the water, and how we can act together to protect these beautiful natural wonders.

The Importance of Glaciers

Glaciers, often called “nature’s water towers,” are vital freshwater resources for billions of people around the world. These gigantic ice chunks span multiple continents, containing about 69% of the world’s freshwater.

Glaciers, which are gradually melting because of rising global temperatures, also provide critical freshwater that sustains rivers and lakes, helping to support a range of ecosystems as well as drinking water supplies for people.

These glaciers have historically served as an important water source for diverse uses such as irrigation, reliable water supply, ecosystem services and drought mitigation, especially in regions reliant on meltwater

In areas like the Himalayas, Andes and Alaska, glacier meltwater flow is critical in maintaining agriculture, hydropower generation and daily life in dry seasons. But the pace of glacier retreat is alarming, and this natural storehouse of ice is under threat, an indication that this crucial source of fresh water is becoming less secure in a changing climate.

The Impact of glaciers on Water Resources

Glaciers are natural water towers that release meltwater, particularly important in areas that rely on this water for agriculture, drinking and sanitation after snowmelt, providing communities in the warmer months.

And without that seasonal glacier melt, much of the place would be in deep trouble. Glaciers in and of themselves influence weather: they control the local climate.

They reflect sunlight, which helps maintain cooler temperatures and mitigate climate change. Moreover, numerous plant and animal species depend directly on glacial environments, or downstream systems fuelled by glacial runoff. Consequently, conserving glacial zones is crucial for future species diversity.

Glaciers in the SADC Region

Glaciers in SADC include those found on Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), on the Drakensberg Mountains (South Africa and Lesotho), on Mafadi Peak (South Africa), and on the Maloti Range (Lesotho) and Ras De Gallo Range (Mozambique).

These glaciers have historically served as an important water source for diverse uses such as irrigation, reliable water supply, ecosystem services and drought mitigation, especially in regions reliant on meltwater. As climate change intensifies, it forces the retreat of these glaciers, this raises concerns of a water crisis in the SADC countries that depend on these vital natural resources.

The Threats to Glaciers

Climate Change and Human Impacts — Glaciers are in trouble. Global temperatures have risen steadily, driving an accelerated melt of glaciers. The Himalayan glaciers could lose as much as three-quarters of their mass this century unless action on climate change is taken immediately, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Black carbon and industrial pollutions deposit on the surface of glaciers, which decreases the albedo effect (reflectivity) of the glaciers, encouraging them to retain more solar energy and accelerating melting processes.

Over urban sprawl pushes population pressure, as cities invade these already vulnerable glacial ecosystems. These gases do factor into the Earth’s climate, but they’re also grave threats to glaciers.

The Significance of Glacier Preservation

If we want to protect our water for the long term, protect our ecosystems and address climate change, we need to pursue glacier protection. Reducing glacier retreat will help us to preserve sufficient supplies of freshwater, a critical resource for drinking water, agriculture and energy generation.

Glacier preservation helps improve climate stabilization, allowing ecosystems and human populations to better adapt to shifts in environmental conditions. Finally, many glaciers have a sacred nature in many of the cultures of the peoples who live near them, and many communities depend on them for tourism and recreation that supports local economies.

How to Advocate for Glacier Preservation

It is important to support the conservation of glaciers. So here are some steps individuals and communities can take that are within their reach:

Advocate for more sustainable policies: Use your voice to pressure local government to adopt measures reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This may involve backing renewable energy programs and tighter restrictions on pollutants.

Advocacy: Get involved in initiatives such as World Water Day. Use social media platforms to post facts about why glaciers are important, how they affect global ecosystems, and how climate change affects glaciers. You can help organize educational workshops or seminars in your communities.

Support Local Conservation Societies: Get involved with nonprofit societies dedicated to preserving glaciers and other vital ecosystems. Donate your time, money or campaign with initiatives they have.

Live More Sustainably: Consider changes to your lifestyle that can help decrease your carbon emissions, like prioritizing public transportation, practicing sustainability, and lowering energy spent on material goods.

Get Involved: Support local discussions on the relevance of glaciers and collective responsibility in protecting them.

Every little bit helps to be part of the bigger picture to save the glaciers of our planet and the ecosystem that relies on them for survival.

Conclusion

As we look ahead to World Water day 2025, let us not forget that glaciers offer more than beauty, they are sustainable water resources on which life depends. These towering ice structures, which house enormous quantities of our planet’s freshwater, are increasingly endangered by climate change, sounding alarm bells for ecosystems and communities that cling to them.

It is very important to involve ourselves in awareness, policy and sustainable practices. Each action, from local conservation to international climatic accords, helps protect these vital water sources.

The cycle of life that has endured for millennia continues, and we can make sure that the generations that follow us have pristine glaciers and fresh water to inherit by joining together, making a stand and encouraging sustainable management of our environment.

Thokozani Dlamini is SADC-GMI Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist

By James Sauramba
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, Mar 21 2025 – World Water Day calls us all to promote the essential element of life: water. But we must also look this year at the rapidly vanishing sources of freshwater that we depend on, especially glaciers. Although glaciers may be remote for many of us, they are an essential component of the water cycle, nourishing rivers and lakes that are important for millions of people around the world. As precious resources with sources under threat, glaciers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region are an area of focus.

The prevalence of Glaciers in the in SADC region

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, which tends to be subtropical and tropical, unexpectedly contains several of Africa’s few glaciers, located in its highest mountains.

The steadiness of glaciers retreating in the SADC region is a sobering reminder of what water, climate change, and this planet we share should mean to all of us. The disappearance of glaciers is not simply an environmental problem — it will be a humanitarian disaster for the millions who rely on glacier-fed rivers for their livelihood

Drakensberg Mountains (South Africa and Lesotho), although there are no active glaciers in the Drakensberg range, remnants from the last Ice Age can be seen in the form of cirques and U-shaped valleys carved by glacial action. In high-altitude areas of Lesotho, snow can fall and a few ice patches.

Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) — Treat your eyes with the stunning beauty of one of world’s most famous towering mountains but do know that the glaciers at the top are melting, with the Kilimanjaro Ice Field retreating thin. Experts fear that in a few decades, these glaciers may vanish entirely, melting away at a rapid pace.

Mount Kenya (Kenya) – Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa, has several glaciers, which have also been retreating in recent years. While spectacular on our camera screens, these glaciers also host vital water for nature, people and wildlife.

How Climate Change Is Affecting Glaciers

The glaciers of the southern African SADC region, like glaciers around the world, face an ever-warming climate. One of the main causes of glaciers melting is global warming, a process that strongly impacts regions such as Africa due to temperatures in Africa increasing at a faster rate than the rest of the world average. Regarding the glaciers of the SADC region, the rising temperatures are resulting in a number of alarming consequences:

Rapid Glacier Retreat: Glaciers are shrinking faster than ever, with many now shrinking year after year. For example, the Mount Kilimanjaro glaciers have receded by approximately 85% over the past century. Mount Kenya’s glacier fields are also melting, some glaciers have shrivelled by more than half in the past few decades.

Alterations of Water Supply: glaciers as a natural reserve slowly release freshwater when melting. That runoff eventually drains into rivers, lakes and other water sources that supply drinking water, farming irrigation and energy through hydropower. As glaciers recede, the water supply becomes increasingly unstable and unreliable, which endangers the communities that rely on it.

Additional Vulnerability to Droughts: In regions where glaciers feed into rivers, such as the Drakensberg Mountains or Mount Kilimanjaro, the loss of ice directly affects water availability. Lower water levels in rivers arising from these mountains add to the existing challenges that many SADC countries face as they increasingly grapple with recurrent droughts due to reduced glacial melt.

Ecosystem Disruption: Glaciers nurture ecosystems that rely on the cold, nutrient-rich waters that they release. These ecosystems are increasingly threatened by shrinking glaciers. The loss of glacial meltwater could impact the delicate balance of these high-altitude environments, causing a decrease in biodiversity and potentially the extinction of species that have adapted to survive in these cold habitats.

Impacts on the SADC Region

The melting glaciers in the SADC region are already having severe repercussions on millions of residents, with significant consequences including:

1. Water Scarcity: The SADC region faces existing water shortages, which are exacerbated by the loss of glacial meltwater. Countries like Lesotho, Tanzania, and Kenya rely heavily on this meltwater for agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectric power. As glaciers disappear, these nations experience a considerable reduction in reliable water sources, further straining their already challenged water systems.
2. Hydropower Generation: Many SADC countries depend on hydropower produced from rivers fed by melting glaciers. With declining glacier volumes, there is less water flowing to hydroelectric dams, leading to potential energy shortages. This poses significant risks for energy-dependent countries, such as South Africa and Lesotho, where a substantial portion of electricity comes from hydropower.
3. Climate Change and Migration: As water becomes scarcer, rural populations may be compelled to migrate toward urban areas or move across borders in search of water. This trend could result in environmental refugees, overwhelming cities that are already grappling with rapid urbanization, poverty, and resource scarcity.

What Can Be Done?

The continued melting of glaciers is a stark reminder that there is no time to waste in addressing climate action, which is particularly relevant for countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Although halting glacier melt entirely may not be feasible, there are steps to be taken to conserve what few glaciers there are remaining as well as strategies for adaptation to sediment influx and climate warming:

Investing in Water Conservation: Governments and communities need to focus on water conservation practices to ensure that water available is used effectively and efficiently. This involves developing more effective possibilities for better irrigation, rainwater harvesting, protection of natural water sources etc.

Finding Solutions to Climate Change: International collaboration and policy reform are important steps to fighting climate change. The SADC region, like the rest of the world, needs to take steps to mitigate carbon emissions and move on renewable energy sources to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Improving Adaptation Strategies: As glaciers continue to retreat, it is becoming increasingly important for governments to create adaptation strategies that address the increasing water supply issues. This may involve upgrades to water storage systems, climate-smart agriculture and the sustainability of alternative water sources in communities.

A call for Action: World Water Day is an opportunity to show the links between glaciers, water resources and climate change. The SADC region has a collective responsibility to ensure that local community voices are prioritised, and that sustainable water management takes precedence in conversations on dedicated water rights.

Conclusion

On World Water Day 2025, the steadiness of glaciers retreating in the SADC region is a sobering reminder of what water, climate change, and this planet we share should mean to all of us. The disappearance of glaciers is not simply an environmental problem — it will be a humanitarian disaster for the millions who rely on glacier-fed rivers for their livelihood. But it is time for action now – to protect water sources, combat climate change and protect the future of the SADC region and beyond.

May this World Water Day serve as a reminder of the value of glaciers for the precious water they provide, and the importance of protecting that water for future generations.

James Sauramba is the Executive Director of the Southern African Development Community Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI)