by DGN Frank Chan, Let the Glacier Cool Committee Chair, PP Wendy Lee, PPE Committee Chair

Our District Becomes the Driving Force Behind the “Let the Glacier Cool” Conservation & Education Programme

Under the breathtaking beauty of Dagu Glacier in Sichuan, our Rotary International District 3450 Preserve Planet Earth (PPE) team embarked on an inspiring journey to advance the “Let the Glacier Cool” Conservation and Education Programme – a pioneering environmental project responding to the urgent challenges of global warming and glacier retreat.

During this remarkable trip, District 3450 officially signed a Collaborative Partnership Agreement with the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS NIER). This partnership represents a significant milestone in collaboration between our district and Mainland China, as District 3450 becomes the first comprehensive collaborative partner, and now the driving force, of the “Let the Glacier Cool” initiative, originally launched by Will Legend and CAS NIER in 2023.

To demonstrate our district’s commitment to environmental protection, we also donated RMB 100,000 to the “Glacier Scientific Research and Talent Development Programme.” The funds will support the next generation of glacier research talent and strengthen scientific understanding of climate change and sustainable water resources.

As part of this collaboration, our district signed the Letter of Agreement for the establishment of the “Let the Glacier Cool • Xinjiang Tianshan Third Pole Glacier Landmark” at the National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Tianshan Glacier. This Rotary landmark will serve as a symbol of partnership, scientific innovation, and our shared dedication to protecting the environment.

During the expedition, the PPE delegation and fellow Rotarians braved the high-altitude conditions and ascended to 4,860 metres above sea level at Dagu Glacier – a powerful and humbling experience underscoring the urgency of our mission to preserve Earth’s fragile glacial ecosystems.

“Climate change is a global challenge that transcends borders,” said DG Cassy Cheng.
“Through the ‘Let the Glacier Cool’ initiative, our district is proud to build this meaningful partnership and demonstrate Rotary’s leadership in protecting our environment for future generations.”

Looking ahead, District 3450 will continue to champion the Daily Measures for Addressing Climate Change proposed by the “Let the Glacier Cool” programme. We will engage members, schools, and community partners through glacier education, sustainability workshops, and field experiences, strengthening Rotary’s role in advancing climate action.

Our commitment to this initiative reaffirms our dedication to ensuring clean water and a healthy environment, for the well-being of communities today and the preservation of our planet for generations to come.

---

Partners:

• Rotary International District 3450
• Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences 中國科學院西北生態環境資源研究院
• Will Legend
• Dagu Glacier Management Bureau 達古冰川管理局

---