Article by Omar Wright 

As the world turns its attention to World Water Day 2025, observed globally each year on March 22, the theme of Glacier Preservation may seem distant to many Jamaicans.

After all, we live on a sun-drenched island in the Caribbean, far removed from the icy landscapes of the Arctic or the towering glaciers of the Himalayas. But what happens thousands of miles away in these frozen regions has direct and potentially devastating consequences for our island nation.

Glaciers play a crucial role in regulating the earth’s water cycle. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), these massive ice formations store about 69 per cent of the world’s freshwater, gradually releasing it over time to maintain balance in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

However, due to rising global temperatures, glaciers are melting at alarming rates.

This disrupts natural water cycles and contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities worldwide, Jamaica included.

The 2015 Climate Policy Framework for Jamaica notes that 82 per cent of the population lives along the coastline or within a five-kilometre radius, the country is extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. The impact is not just about losing a few feet of beachfront; it is about the potential displacement of entire communities, loss of homes, and destruction of vital economic infrastructure.

What is more, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) reports that more than 50 per cent of Jamaica’s economic assets, including tourism hubs, ports, and fisheries, are concentrated along the coast. A rising ocean means more frequent storm surges, flooding, and erosion, putting livelihoods at risk. With 56 per cent of Jamaicans living in urban areas, including one-third of the population in Kingston, critical infrastructure; roads, utilities, and businesses, face increasing exposure to climate threats.  

If sea levels continue to rise, more Jamaicans may be forced to relocate, straining already limited inland resources and increasing socio-economic inequalities.

One of the clearest examples of this impact is unfolding at Hellshire Beach in St. Catherine where rapid coastal erosion has shrunk the shoreline significantly. Once a vibrant recreational hub, sections of Hellshire have been lost to rising sea levels and unchecked environmental degradation. If this trend continues, Jamaica will witness the disappearance of more coastal areas, impacting livelihoods and tourism revenues 

The reality of glacial melt is more than just a distant environmental concern, it is a direct challenge to Jamaica’s future. If we ignore the warning signs, the cost of inaction will be irreversible.

To mitigate these risks, Jamaica must strengthen coastal defences by investing in resilient infrastructure, including sea walls and mangrove restoration, to combat erosion and rising waters.

We must advance climate policies, pushing for stronger environmental regulations and global advocacy to reduce carbon emissions and slow global warming. We must also continue to raise public awareness, by educating Jamaicans on how global climate changes directly impact their lives and livelihoods and what actions they can take.

As we mark World Water Day 2025, policymakers, businesses, and citizens alike should engage in a serious discussion about Jamaica’s climate future. The melting glaciers may seem distant, but their impact is already lapping at our shores.

The question is: What will we do about it before it is too late?