Our Cryosphere Strategy
The Cryosphere Crisis
The cryosphere is warming at three times the global average. This has devastating implications — disappearing glaciers, ecosystem disruption, cultural loss, and life-threatening glacial lake floods.
What is the Cryosphere?
The cryosphere includes all frozen water parts of Earth: glaciers, snow, ice caps, permafrost. Its loss accelerates climate collapse.
Key Impacts
- Glaciers melting at 3x global rate
- 50% of glaciers gone by 2100
- Glacial lake floods (GLOFs) rising
- 2 billion people affected globally
- Loss of indigenous knowledge & heritage
Why Now: UN Decade of Cryospheric Sciences (2025-2034)
Explore UN ResolutionsCryosphere Loss Timeline (1985-2024)
This timeline visualizes the gradual loss of global glacier mass over the past four decades, reflecting the accelerated impact of climate change on the cryosphere.
Strategic Context: Why 2025-2034 is Critical
The next decade presents unprecedented opportunities and urgent calls to action for glacier preservation.
UN Year of Glaciers' Preservation - 2025
- UN Resolution A/RES/77/281 adopted globally
- Raises urgency on glacier melt & water security
- Calls for public education & research funding
- Arctic may be ice-free by 2030
UN Decade of Cryospheric Sciences - 2025-2034
- Led by WMO & UNESCO
- Integrates cryosphere science & local knowledge
- Aligns glacier research with SDGs
- Targets water, climate, ecosystems & livelihoods
Global Movements & Climate Platforms
- UN Ocean Decade: Links glacial melt to ocean health
- COP30 & UN Water Conferences: Key platforms for cryosphere advocacy in climate finance
Strategic Gaps We Address
Lack of Glacier Education
Most communities and schools lack awareness of the Cryosphere`s role in climate systems, leading to weak advocacy and action.
Disconnected Global-Local Policy
Policies are often created globally without accounting for local realities or involving local voices from glacier regions.
Missing Open Cryo Data
Data on glacial retreat, GLOFs, and melt patterns are often siloed, outdated, or inaccessible to the public and researchers.
Under-leveraged Youth Movements
Young leaders from glacier regions lack platforms to scale their activism or connect with global policy and climate networks.
Dual-Force Action Model
Partnering with governments and institutions to shape climate policy and create global awareness.
Empowering glacier communities, youth, and educators through training and grassroots campaigns.
Core Solution Pillars
Open Data
Ensuring glacier-related information is accessible, transparent, and openly shared.
Glacier Literacy
Educating the public and institutions about glaciers and their climate relevance.
Community Engagement
Involving local communities in glacier conservation through grassroots participation.
Creative Comms
Using storytelling, media, and design to spread glacier awareness widely.
Policy Advocacy
Shaping policies by influencing institutions and decision-makers globally.
These core pillars form the foundation of our approach to cryosphere justice — integrating knowledge, community power, data transparency, creative storytelling, and global policy change.
Theory of Change
Inputs
- Programs
- Networks
- Media
- Advocacy
- Funding
- Partners
Activities
- GlacierX
- Fellowships
- Curricula
- Storytelling
- Campaigns
Outputs
- Events
- Curriculum
- Declarations
- Toolkits
- Policy briefs
- Art
- Community pledges
Outcomes
- Policy recognition
- Influence, local stewardship
- Youth/community engagement
- Digital activation
Impact
- Systemic glacier protection
- Cryosphere justice