“Northwest” Scientific Research Bridging HK. Join Hands Will Legend Achieving a “Let the Glacier Cool” Journey that Benefits People of All
Will Legend has connected with Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese University of Hong Kong to collaborate on a new series of public education films on glacier conservation, titled “Let the Glacier Cool”.
The film boasts cinematic production quality combined with AI elements, delivering a stunning visual and sound experience that helps kids, young people, and the public better understand the importance of safeguarding the elements of human life – glaciers and water.
In celebration of World Day for Glaciers 2026, “When drinking water, remember its source” – Will Legend looks back on a “Let the Glacier Cool” journey with the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Northwest Institute) that benefits people of all. This article covers the activities of World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day on March 18 and 19, 2026, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the United Nations World Water Development Report 2026, the birth of “Let the Glaciers Cool” and the climate actions that Will Legend has been taking since 2023.
Since 2023, Will Legend and the Northwest Institute have joined hands to build bridges of friendship between Hong Kong and the Mainland of China, Bridging Scientific Research, Science Outreach Dissemination, Sharing of Education. Ultimately, we aim to transform the “Let the Glacier Cool” into a platform connecting different regions and sectors, practicing our three visions of “Environmental Protection, Social Philanthropy, Ethnic Integration”.
William Hung, the founder of the “Let the Glacier Cool” Conservation and Education programme, spent five years traversing glaciers, land, and oceans to transform the programme from a philosophy into concrete measures. At present, in the context of global warming, responding to climate change and mitigating the climate crisis has become one of the major global challenges. Whether from the business, science, non-governmental organizations or education sectors, we all hope to make contributions and promote climate action. Therefore, Will Legend promotes the “Green-blueprint” – The Integration of Glacier, Land, Ocean. Starting with “Let the Glacier Cool”, we will then promote “Urban Wildlife Corridor” and “Let the Ocean Breathe” simultaneously, protecting both land and oceans. We hope to implement philosophy and practices, and work together with scientists, business and organizational representatives, teachers, students and the public to promote a bright future of sustainable development for humans and nature.
2021, “When drinking water, remember its source” made its first trip to the last pure land on Earth—the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (the Third Pole).
2022, “Green-blueprint” outlines the land and oceans, safeguarding food and air, and leading Willy Bee the way to the source of water – glaciers.
2023, “Bridging Scientific Research” collaborating with the Northwest Institute to promote the national first joint action for glacier conservation between two places.
2023, “Ethnic Integration” presented the “Third Pole Hong Kong Glacier Landmark” to the Dagu Glacier Administration Bureau as a symbol of promoting cultural exchange between the two places.
2024, “Science Outreach Dissemination” launching “Let the Glacier Cool – A Glacier Journey”, allowing Hong Kong people to personally experience the rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change on the Third Pole glaciers.
2025, “Aligning ESG Goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” Rotary District 3450 officially became the comprehensive collaborative partner of the “Let the Glacier Cool”, People of Action Benefits People of All.
2026, “Education Sharing” collaborating with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, “Let the Glacier Cool” has been featured at the Museum of Climate Change (MoCC), promoting best practices for human intervention in addressing climate change.
World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day 2026: “Let the Glacier Cool” Conservation & Education Programme, Safeguarding Glacier and Water
UNESCO celebrated the World Day for Glaciers and the World Water Day at its Headquarters in Paris on 18-19 March 2026, closing the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 and launching the new Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences with dedicated sessions and side events highlighting the vital links between cryosphere, water and gender equality.
The cryosphere, including glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost, sea ice and snow, stores around 70% of Earth’s freshwater, yet it is shrinking fast. Glaciers are losing mass every year; Arctic sea ice has declined by about 40% since 1979; and the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are melting at accelerating rates, with long-term implications for sea level rise. Cryosphere loss already affects water security, ecosystems, infrastructure and disaster risk worldwide.
In response, the United Nations designated 21 March as World Day for Glaciers and proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP 2025), led by UNESCO and World Meteorological Organization. The UN also declared 2025–2034 the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, led by UNESCO, to strengthen research, monitoring, education and policy action on cryospheric change. In addition, 22 March 2026 marks World Water Day, with a focus on water, women and gender equality.
The 2026 celebrations at UNESCO Headquarters closed the IYGP 2025, presented its outcomes, and introduced the first governance and action architecture of the Decade, alongside World Water Day high-level sessions and partner-led side events.
The occasion also marked the celebration of World Water Day, thereby offering a timely opportunity to promote renewed global attention to inclusive and equitable water action. In this framework, the United Nations World Water Development Report 2026, entitled Water for All People: Equal Rights and Opportunities, will be officially launched. The report underscores the importance of ensuring that water governance, service delivery, and resource management are guided by the principles of equality, inclusion, and shared responsibility.
On these days with dual significance, March 21st and 22nd, researcher Wang Feiteng is serving as a Paris correspondent for the “Let the Glacier Cool”, enabling public in both places to participate in the event.
2026 UN World Water Development Report
Excerpt from the 2026 UN World Water Development Report:
Gender equality constitutes an essential path towards fair and just access to, and use of, water. Titled Water for All People: Equal Rights and Opportunities, this report provides a comprehensive, evidence-based summary of the linkages between, and progress towards, water and gender equality. It describes how normative and policy frameworks translate into problem analysis, programme design principles and strategic action implementation in the water domain. Understood as the equal enjoyment of rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all people, regardless of their sex and/or gender, gender equality constitutes an essential path towards fair and just access to, and use of, water.
Drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in human settlements. As of 2024, 2.1 billion people still lacked safely managed drinking water while 3.4 billion people still lacked safely managed sanitation services and 1.7 billion lacked basic hygiene services at home. The human rights to water and sanitation entitle all people to access to safe and clean drinking water and adequate sanitation, provided equally and without discrimination. Fulfilment of these rights requires that all obstacles in access to safe drinking water and sanitation are removed, particularly for the most marginalized populations. This includes removal of impediments to equal participation of men and women in water governance.
Celebrating World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day 2026: “Let the Glacier Cool” Side Event
World Day for Glaciers 21 March, World Water Day 22 March are related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
- SDG 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- SDG 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- SDG 17 – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership
To better promote the conservation of glaciers and water, on March 12, Will Legend and the Northwest Institute jointly held an academic seminar on “Let the Glacier Cool” at Will Legend’s headquarters in Hong Kong.
The meeting approved the establishment of the “Let the Glacier Cool – Hong Kong Glacier Talent Training Unit” a collaboration between Will Legend and the Northwest Institute. Researcher Wang Feiteng will serve as the unit leader, William Hung as the deputy unit leader, and Dr. Liu Shuangshuang and Dr. Jin Xiang will serve as training tutors. The unit will be committed to “Bridging Scientific Research, Science Outreach Dissemination, Sharing of Education” highlighting the need to protect not only glaciers but also land and oceans, safeguarding the Earth’s health holistically, and conveying the concept of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature to children, youth, and the general public.
“When drinking water, remember its source” Return Visit to the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences
It all began with a heartwarming email, marking the start of a partnership between Will Legend and the Northwest Institute. In January 2026, William Hung return visited the Northwest Institute’s headquarters in Lanzhou and reported to Feng Qi, director / Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Zhang Mingyi, vice director, and several officials on the achievements of the “Let the Glacier Cool” programme over the years in bridging scientific research, promoting public science outreach, and education sharing. During the meeting, William Hung clearly stated that “Let the Glacier Cool” is not merely an action to promote the protection of polar regions, glaciers, and the cryosphere, but also a benchmark for Hong Kong and the mainland of China in practicing “Environmental Protection, Social Philanthropy, Ethnic Integration”.
Following the meeting, the guests, led by Researcher Wang Feiteng, visited the Northwest Institute’s Science and Technology Innovation Hall and Low Temperature Research Facility. The visit inspired William Hung: “What place could be more suitable than the Northwest Institute’s headquarters to promote public science outreach and serve as a bridge connecting Chinese scientists with Hong Kong and global?” This inspired the development of the third glacier journey – “Let the Glacier Cool – Ice Cores Journey at the Northwest Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences”.
“Let the Glacier Cool”: A Glacier Journey Benefits People of All
Will Legend cooperates with the Northwest Institute to jointly promote the “Let the Glacier Cool” Conservation & Education Programme. It is the first joint glacier protection initiative between Hong Kong and the Mainland of China. It also receives strong support from the Xinjiang People’s Government and national authorities, who, together with Will Legend, meticulously plan the itinerary and activities – “Symphony Hong Kong, Beautiful Xinjiang, Integration of Two Places” – to practice conservation, education, science outreach, and cultural exchange.
Will Legend has received high recognition from the Xinjiang People’s Government and national authorities, including: Nileke County Education Bureau; Turpan Gaochang District Education Bureau; Turpan Gaochang District Fifth Primary School; Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe District) Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; and Nileke County Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau.
“Let the Glacier Cool” Fully Practices the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Benefits People of All
- In collaboration with the Nileke County Bee Town to safeguard land (SDG15), adopting Sustainable Health Service and Reduce-carbon 96.7%™ non-toxic products to reduce soil and water pollutions, and prevent the spread of disease, fostering public health and well-being (SDG3).
- Launching 1.5°C-Climate Action™ “Glacier Journey” (SDG13), embarking on a journey to the Tianshan Glacier No. 1 to understand and protect glaciers and foster environmental protection.
- SDG-in-China™ Academic Study Tour, Research Trip, visiting the source of the Urumqi River, the “Earth’s Water Tower” embodying the spirit of “When drinking water, remember its source”, tracing the source of freshwater (SDG6) and “Same roots, same heart” between the two places.
- “Symphony Hong Kong, Beautiful Xinjiang, Integration of Two Places”—visiting schools in Xinjiang, creating a broader learning platform for students for both places, practicing inclusive and equitable quality education, and providing children with more learning opportunities (SDG4).
- Supporting green enterprises to build sustainable fisheries (the Tianshan Glacial salmon) where “furthest from the ocean” to protect and sustainably utilize the ocean and its resources (SDG14).
- IP collaboration promotes cultural and creative products, and ecotourism, injecting vitality into the local economy, providing new job opportunities for the public, and driving local economic growth (SDG8).
- People from both places are working together to promote “Environmental Protection, Social philanthropy, Ethnic Integration”, forging a path of integration among “humans, society, economy, and nature” to achieve the vision of peace.
“Let the Glacier Cool” Conservation & Education Programme
Safeguarding Glacier and Water, practicing Climate Action SDG13. Taking action to combat climate change, embarking on the source of the Urumqi River — Xinjiang Tianshan Glacier No. 1 and Sichuan Dagu Glacier — practicing “When Drinking Water, Remember Its Source. Same Roots, Same Heart”, tracing back to the source of fresh water (SDG6). Exploring Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Third Pole, strengthening the protection of polar regions. Promoting environmental protection, inclusive societies, shared economic achievements, harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Climate Goals.
From the 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034), all these initiatives are closely linked to glacier conservation. The successful launch of “Let the Glacier Cool” originated from the collaboration between Will Legend and the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences — jointly creating a cross-regional glacier protection initiative.
On March 21, 2023, Will Legend founded the “Let the Glacier Cool” Conservation and Education Programme, becoming one of its founding organizations. On September 5 of the same year, Will Legend received a reply from Researcher Wang Feiteng of the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, expressing full support for the development and implementation of “Let the Glacier Cool”.
“Let the Glacier Cool” Practicing of Ethnic Integration
On December 28, 2023, Will Legend presented the “Third Pole Hong Kong Glacier Landmark”, a bridge of friendship between Hong Kong and the Mainland of China, to the Dagu Glacier Administration Bureau. From that moment on, Will Legend, the Northwest Institute and the Dagu Glacier Administration Bureau together launched the First in the Country of Glacier Preservation for Joint Action.
“Let the Glacier Cool” Practicing of Science Outreach Dissemination
In April 2024, the first SDG-in-China™ Academic Study Tour, with 128 teachers and students, set foot on the Dagu Glacier at an altitude of 4,860 meters and walked into the embrace of the “White Giants”. By November of the same year, “Let the Glacier Cool” facilitated the first-ever “Sister School Scheme” between two schools in Hong Kong and Sichuan, enriched Hong Kong students’ learning experiences, deepened their understanding of their motherland, and fostered the collaborative development of education between the two regions. Throughout 2024, a total of four schools embarked on the “Third Pole Glacier Journey”, stepped into the cryosphere to witness the alarming rate of glacial retreat caused by climate change. Through the science outreach activities specially customized for Will Legend by Wang Feiteng, director of the Tianshan Glaciological Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the protection of glaciers, glacial water resources, snow lines and cryosphere is put into practice.
“Let the Glacier Cool” Practicing of Bridging Scientific Research
“Let the Glacier Cool” connects with the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Global warming is accelerating glacier melt, leading to a series of serious challenges such as rising sea levels, unstable freshwater resources, and imbalanced ecosystems. Glaciologists around the world are devoting their efforts to research and monitoring, striving to decode the warning signs sent by glacier changes and to develop strategies that can provide the Earth’s cryosphere with more time and resilience to adapt.
This event proudly welcomes Professor Wang Feiteng, researcher from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, to The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Professor Wang will share insights on the severe challenges facing China’s glaciers and explain how his scientific team applies advanced observation techniques and innovative methods to safeguard these invaluable alpine glacier resources. He will also engage in discussions with CUHK researchers on Antarctic and cryospheric studies, offering participants a deeper understanding of the scientific foundations and frontline research behind the rapid transformations of glaciers.
“Let the Glacier Cool” Practicing of Aligning ESG Goals with the SDGs
On October 28, 2025, Will Legend, the Northwest Institute, the Tianshan Glacier Station, and Rotary District 3450 jointly signed a Declaration of Cooperation at the Dagu Glacier “Third Pole Hong Kong Glacier Landmark” square. Rotary District 3450 then became the first comprehensive collaborative partner of the “Let the Glacier Cool” Conservation and Education Programme.
Rotary District 3450 pledges to take “Let the Glacier Cool” programme as a starting point to support the protection of glaciers, land, and oceans, taking care of the health of the planet in a holistic approach. It also pledges to support the implementation of “Everyday Measures to Combat Climate Change” proposed by the “Let the Glacier Cool”, fundamentally reducing emissions and temperature to mitigate the climate crisis.
“Let the Glacier Cool” Practicing of Sharing of Education
On March 13th, “Let the Glacier Cool” officially launched its collaboration with the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and entered the Museum of Climate Change (MoCC). The academic conference and opening ceremony brought together professors from CUHK and Researcher Wang Feiteng from the Northwest Institute. This was the first two-places academic discussion on glacier conservation under the “Let the Glacier Cool” initiative in Hong Kong, marking the beginning of “The Glacier Story of Hong Kong”. Through conservation and education, we are creating a glacier journey that benefits everyone. “Let the Glacier Cool” looks forward to taking you on a journey to Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Third Pole in the near future.
A Global Call for Action to Save Earth’s Vital Glaciers
Glacier meltwater nurtures healthy “Land and Food”, and also creates “Ocean and Air”, ocean breathes and preserves “Glacier and Water”. Nature is a chain of links. Will Legend, the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Tianshan Glacier Station will continue to promote low-carbon living among the public, actively guide government, enterprises, organizations/institutions, and schools to work together to protect the “World’s Water Tower”, deepen cooperation between the two places in water resource protection, climate change response, and science education, help cool the Earth, and foster harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
In the future, the Northwest Institute, and Will Legend will continue to actively foster CUHK Museum of Climate Change, Education Bureau-School Conservation Courses, and Radio Television Hong Kong-Glacier Conservation Programmes etc., themed by the “Let the Glacier Cool”, bridging scientific research, businesses/institutions, and the public. We hope to become a new force driving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, leading the public towards a better future of sustainable development.
We thank all the scientists for their continued contributions to the health of the planet, thank the businesses for their giveback to society and nature, and thank the public for adopting everyday measures to combat global climate change. The “Green-blueprint” initiative is a geoengineering and climate engineering project that truly allows people from different regions and sectors to participate. Will Legend hopes to invite leading international research institutions, climate experts, scientists, businesses, service organizations, artists etc., to join the “Let the Glacier Cool” platform. We hope our efforts can also become one of the best human intervention measures to combat climate change.
A Glacier Journey Benefits People of All
Will Legend makes it easier for the public to understand the goals of the “Green-blueprint” through one of the following 1.5°C-ClimateAction™ “Let the Glacier Cool – Xinjiang Tianshan Glacier No. 1 Journey”. At the same time, we hope that you can connect to the “Green-blueprint” platform to jointly promote the Integration of “Glacier, Land, Ocean and Sustainable Development”. To care for the Earth, we must act “As a whole”- protect glaciers, land, and oceans. Climate change is the primary cause of glacier retreat. Only healthy land and oceans can control temperature rise and fundamentally “Let the Glacier Cool”.
I love doing something to help nature and society, not just for now, but also for the future.
– W.L. Hung, CEO
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