How Schools Can Take Action for the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation 2025

The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation to raise awareness about protecting glaciers, which plays a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate and providing fresh water. As glaciers continue to shrink because of climate change, it is essential to educate and engage people in efforts to protect these natural wonders. This year offers a unique opportunity for schools, teachers, parents, and students to learn about glaciers and contribute to their preservation.
For Schools
·Glacier Awareness Week: Organize a week with activities focused on glacier education, including documentaries, guest speakers, and hands-on activities explaining how glaciers form and why they matter.
·Create a Glacier Display: Set up a display with facts, images, and models of glaciers to educate students visually about their structure and importance.
·Field Trips: Arrange visits to nearby science museums or nature centers that have exhibits related to glaciers and climate change.
·Adopt a Glacier Project: Partner with international initiatives where students can symbolically adopt a glacier and track its health over the year.
·Climate-Friendly School Practices: Implement practices like reducing single-use plastics, encouraging recycling, and promoting energy conservation throughout the school year as a broader commitment to climate action.
For Teachers
·Incorporate Glacier Education: Use interactive lessons to explain how glaciers shape landscapes and affect global water systems.
·Hands-On Experiments: Conduct classroom activities, such as melting ice models, to show how glaciers impact sea levels and ecosystems.
·Professional Development: Attend workshops and access resources on climate education and glacier science to better engage students.
·Encourage Student Projects: Guide students to create presentations or essays on the importance of glaciers and climate action.
·Teach Holistic Climate Action: Expand lessons to include broader climate issues like deforestation, air pollution, and renewable energy solutions, helping students understand the bigger picture.
For Parents
·Lead by Example: Practice eco-friendly habits at home, like reducing energy use and minimizing waste, and explain how these help preserve glaciers.
·Educational Outings: Visit nature centers or local exhibits focusing on climate and glaciers, encouraging family discussions.
·Support School Initiatives: Take part in school events related to glacier preservation, such as fundraising for conservation projects.
·Home Science Activities: Engage children with simple experiments like observing ice melting to explain climate change effects.
·Broader Climate Actions: Reduce water waste, plant trees, and support local eco-initiatives as a family to contribute to a healthier planet.
For Students
·Get Creative: Create glacier-themed art, poems, or stories to share the importance of glaciers with peers.
·Start an Eco Club: Form a student-led club focused on climate action, including activities like recycling drives and awareness campaigns.
·Research and Share: Write reports or give presentations about famous glaciers and their importance in global ecosystems.
·Take Action: Encourage small but impactful steps like reducing single-use plastics and promoting energy-saving habits among friends and family.
·Think Beyond Glaciers: Take part in community clean-ups, advocate for reducing plastic use, and spread awareness on preserving natural habitats as part of a larger climate action effort.
Why Glacier Preservation Matters!
Glaciers are not just stunning natural features; they are vital to the planet’s health. They store vast amounts of fresh water, regulate sea levels, and influence global weather patterns. As climate change speeds up glacier melting, it poses serious risks, including rising sea levels and water shortages.
By celebrating the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation in 2025, schools, teachers, parents, and students can play an active role in spreading awareness and taking small yet impactful actions to protect these natural wonders. Together, we can ensure future generations get to experience and benefit from the beauty and importance of glaciers.
A detailed toolkit on how schools can celebrate the International Year of Glacier Preservation 2025 is coming soon!