World Water Day 2025: The role of open data in glacier preservation

World Water Day, celebrated annually on 22 March, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role of water in sustainable development, environmental preservation, and human well-being. By bringing together policymakers, scientists, and communities, World Water Day aims to advance solutions and highlight the 2.2 billion people who lack access to safe water, driving action towards achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 ‘Ensure access to water and sanitation for all’.

Each year, World Water Day is centred around a key theme. In 2025, the focus is on glacier preservation. Glaciers serve as natural freshwater reservoirs, supplying water for drinking, agriculture, industry, and ecosystems. According to the data analysed in the UN-Water's flagship World Water Development Report 2025, glaciers hold approximately 70% of the Earth's freshwater. However, they are melting at alarming rates, losing over 600 gigatons of water in 2023 alone, the largest recorded loss in 50 years. This contributes to rising sea levels, which are now 20 cm higher than in 1900. 

Open data has become a crucial tool for monitoring environmental changes and informing policies. It provides valuable insights for decision-making, guiding actions and investments in water security. For instance, the Satellite in Action data story on data.europa.eu has already demonstrated how open data enhances environmental tracking, such as monitoring glacier loss. Expanding access to satellite data is key to revolutionising how we address water-related challenges.

To explore this topic further and learn how data is shaping water sustainability, have a look at the World Water Day 2025 events. This global initiative underscores the importance of data-driven solutions and international cooperation in tackling water scarcity, pollution, and climate change. 

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