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A Call to Protect the World's Glaciers: Highlights from the Belgian Première of The Last Glaciers
Glaciers in Peril: A Global Crisis
Glaciers, which cover around 10% of the Earth’s surface, are retreating at an unprecedented rate. These frozen reservoirs are vital to human life, providing over 66% of the world’s freshwater, supporting agriculture, hydropower, and millions of people who depend on seasonal meltwater. As global temperatures rise, glaciers are rapidly disappearing, disrupting regional and global water cycles and exacerbating extreme weather events.
In Europe, the retreat of glaciers in the Alps, Pyrenees, and other mountain ranges is already affecting river flows, agricultural productivity, and biodiversity. The cascading impacts are felt by downstream populations, as reduced glacier runoff threatens freshwater supplies for irrigation, drinking water, and industry. Furthermore, the loss of glaciers is not just an environmental issue—it is a humanitarian crisis, as many communities worldwide, especially in Asia, Africa, and South America, rely on glacial meltwater for survival. With entire ecosystems at risk and the livelihoods of billions hanging in the balance, glacier loss is one of the most pressing climate change challenges of the 21st century.
This is why the global community, led by UNESCO and WMO, launched the International Year of Glaciers Preservation and the International Decade of Actions for Cryosphere Sciences. These initiatives aim to strengthen scientific cooperation, raise public awareness, and drive international policy action to protect glacier ecosystems and support the populations who depend on them.
The Lasts Glaciers: Capturing the Urgency of Glacier Preservation
The evening began with opening remarks from Lodovico Folin Calabi, UNESCO Representative to the European Union, and Ms. Zuhro Saidzoda, Third Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan. Both speakers highlighted the urgent need for international cooperation and scientific innovation to address glacier loss and protect global freshwater resources. They underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to not only preserve glaciers but also to support communities that depend on them.
The rapid retreat of glaciers due to climate change is creating challenges that affect us all.
After the introductions, attendees enjoyed The Last Glaciers: Journey to the Extreme, a visually striking documentary directed by Craig Leeson. The film provided a compelling portrayal of the devastating consequences of glacier retreat. It captured both the beauty of these icy landscapes and the scale of their destruction, shedding light on the severe impacts of climate change on vulnerable regions and ecosystems worldwide.
Panel Discussion: From Crisis to Action
Following the screening, a panel discussion brought together leading experts to discuss the current state of glaciers, the impacts of their loss, and potential solutions. The discussion was moderated by Irina Pavlova from the UNESCO Liaison Office to the EU and featured Harry Zekollari, Associate Research Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Marie Chenet, Senior Lecturer at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne; Elisabetta Balzi, Head of Unit for Ocean, Seas, and Waters at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation; and Koen Verbist, Programme Specialist at UNESCO.
The panelists discussed the latest scientific projections on glacier loss, with Harry Zekollari highlighting the alarming rate of retreat under different climate scenarios and what this means for water security. Marie Chenet explained how studying past glacier behavior through paleo-reconstruction methods is essential for understanding long-term climate trends and predicting future changes. Elisabetta Balzi focused on the impact of glacier loss on European water systems, while Koen Verbist identified regions most vulnerable to glacier retreat and the changing water cycles that directly impact millions of people.
The cryosphere plays a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels. Its decline is expected to have significant environmental, social and economic impacts, affecting water security, biodiversity and coastal communities worldwide.
The discussion also explored solutions to mitigate the crisis, examining how scientific research, international collaborations, and policy innovation can help protect glaciers. In particular, the upcoming EU Water Resilience Strategy was highlighted as a critical initiative to safeguard freshwater ecosystems and enhance water-related technologies. The panel also stressed the importance of communication in bridging the gap between scientific data and public understanding, with documentaries like The Last Glaciers playing a crucial role in raising awareness. The panel concluded with a call for inclusive leadership in glacier research, emphasizing the importance of gender representation in driving climate action. The time to act is now, before the impacts of glacier loss are irreversible.
Following this success, UNESCO and its partners will continue to host events throughout the International Year of Glaciers Preservation and the International Decade of Actions for Cryosphere Sciences, building momentum for global action to protect glaciers and secure a sustainable water future for all.
