Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI – In 1993 the UN General Assembly designated March 22nd as World Water Day (WWD). This observance is one of the largest international days. Each year the UN selects a theme for World Water Day, and the theme chosen for World Water Day 2025 is Glacier Preservation. In this article I share much information from UN.org and UN Water. A glacier is a river of ice often covered in snow, slowly moving down a valley from a mountainous area, with its melting waters flowing downstream. The UN points out that glaciers are critical to the water cycle. They provide essential supplies of fresh water for drinking water, sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems. We are told that glaciers are melting faster than ever before.
Perhaps it is a little surprising that World Water Day focuses on glacier preservation, as glaciers are believed to be thousands of miles away from where we live. But we are learning the important part they play in the bigger picture of the importance of water on planet Earth. Water Day is a day to remember that water is an essential element for all life on planet Earth. First and foremost, on Water Day we should thank our loving God and Creator for giving us this wonderful life-giving gift. In the first book of the Bible, we read how and why God gave us the gift of water in His plan for all of creation. World Water Day is a time to ask how we can better appreciate and use the water we deal with day by day. We start in our homes, asking the question how are we using the wonderful gift of water, or sadly perhaps abusing and wasting this gift. And we then look at the sources of water that are closest to us like ponds, rivers and lakes and what we should do to keep them safe and clean. Because water is necessary for all of us, we need to take strong action, individually, in our families, in our schools, in our churches, in all our communities, in our workplaces, and in all levels of government about how we can better protect and provide water for our lives, and for all people on planet Earth. WWD is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis beginning with the place where we live. As water is necessary for all life it is considered a human right for all people throughout the world. But sadly, on this World Water Day we are faced with the reality that 2.2 billion of our brothers and sisters on planet Earth live without access to safe clean water which has devastating impacts on the health and very life of whole societies. Some may ask: Why do people live in places without clean water? Most of these people do not have much choice in where they live. Many reside in the same communities they were born in – which they have called home for generations. They do not have the financial resources to relocate to larger cities and towns where the cost of living is even higher, or because they are unable to find steady work.
World Water Day celebrates water and should inspire all of us to the best of our ability to take action, to tackle the global water crisis. A primary focus is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal of water and sanitation for all. Water is also at the center of adapting to climate change, both locally and universally serving as the crucial link between the climate system, human society and the environment.
In this context, we can better understand why the UN has chosen for World Water Day 2025 the theme of Glacier Preservation as there is a close essential link of the glaciers to the water we use locally and the climate that surrounds us. Glaciers are giant frozen reservoirs of fresh water. They store about 70% of Earth’s fresh water. During warmer seasons, glaciers slowly melt, releasing water downstream. In many parts of the world, this helps keep water flowing in places that might otherwise dry up. Glaciers are also crucial for regulating Earth’s climate. However, because of climate change, glaciers are melting faster than ever, which could change the water cycle in ways that can negatively affect people and environment. As global temperatures rise, glaciers lose mass, contributing to sea level rise and threatening water supplies for billions of people on planet Earth. If we don’t act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this trend will worsen, leading to more extreme weather, flooding and water shortages. Glacier Preservation is a survival strategy. We must work together to reduce greenhouse emissions and manage meltwater more sustainably for people on all parts of the planet.
Pope Francis in his recent teachings on ecology points out that climate change is real and mainly a result of human activity. Speaking on the environment, he emphasizes the need to better care for all of creation, especially for ocean systems and marine life because they are gifts of God’s creations. Francis states solving climate change means protecting planet and vulnerable people and we must hear “the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.” Francis reminds us that our faith should guide us and that “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us, soil, water, mountains, and everything is in the loving hands God.” Francis continues, that the problems are big and urgent but that “Humanity still has the ability to work in building up and protecting our common home which is Earth, and much can be done if we trust God.” Pope Francis points out that while it is important to highlight the role of local communities and individual consumers, this should not obscure the need for major political decisions on the national and international level.
No matter where we live, glaciers are critical to our water future. What can we do to preserve our glaciers? The international year of glacier preservation suggests the following: young people, adults, families, community groups, organizations, institutions and governments – everyone can take action as part of the World Water Day 2025 campaign on glacier preservation. There are three ways to get involved:
- Learn
* Explore the importance of glaciers to the water cycle and the climate, and read inspirational stories from around the world
* Dive into UN-Waters Water Facts
* Read the 2025 UN World Water Development Report
* Look into the water and sanitation issues in your country or region - Share
* Post World Water Day social media assets using #WorldWaterDay to generate debate and raise awareness
* Develop your own World Water Day issues campaign resources that are found at https://trello.com/b/vDCctDEY/world-water-day
* To get involved send an email to campaigns@unwater.org - ACT
* Organize a walking trip into local mountains or highlands to see rivers
* Give a talk in your school, university, community, office or organization
* If you are a teacher or student, organize a lesson/do an activity/visit a natural science museum
* Organize a community clean-up of local streams, rivers, lakes, springs and beaches
* Contribute to or launch citizen science participatory projects aimed at promoting knowledge of local water bodies and collecting data and information.
The magnificent glaciers and all the beautiful creations that surround us are a chalice of grace from our Creator. They are gracious because they reveal God’s abundance goodness. World Water Day along with World Earth Day calls us to thank God for our beautiful Common Home, Earth, and to pray and work to preserve it for future generations. The glaciers and all the environments are sacred as they come from the Holy hand of the Creator and to ruthlessly exploit them is a sacrilege.
Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of San Angelo
Oblate Missions
323 Oblate Drive
San Antonio, TX 78216
Direct office Line: 210-477-0939
Personal Phone: 325-374-7500
Email: mpfeifer@omiusa.org
