In the remote desert valley of Zanskar in the Himalayas, at an altitude of between 3,000 and 7,000 metres, local populations have always depended on glaciers, which melt in the spring, to provide the water necessary for cultivation and life. In recent decades, the situation has changed: rising temperatures have reduced the size of the glaciers and caused water scarcity, leading to the disappearance of many villages. Today, in an unequal battle against climate change, the people of Ladakh are constructing artificial glaciers, mixing traditional techniques and modern practices to combat a lack of water in spring and to help replenish groundwater.

Impact goals

• Reach 100,000+ people through a targeted campaign addressing climate change in vulnerable areas like the Himalayas.
• Encourage 100 communities globally to adopt similar initiatives within three years by sharing success stories and resources.
• Inspire 50+ policymakers to integrate indigenous knowledge into climate strategies through workshops and case studies in two years.
• Secure $500,000 in funding over three years for sustainable water solutions for communities reliant on glacial water.
• Advocate for three new policies in five years to reduce pollution and support climate-adaptation projects like ice stupas.

To achieve this, we would like to…

• collaborate with environmental organisations and educational institutions on an outreach campaign.
• host an event with the University of Innsbruck featuring a glaciologist and a screening of The Ice Builders, followed by a panel discussion.
• organise educational tours for schools and universities across Europe to address water security linked to glacier melt.
• partner with brands like The North Face, Ortovox for a media campaign promoting ice-stupa construction, ensuring media coverage and live streaming.
• work with the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) to create a policy brief for COP climate conferences advocating for ice stupas in vulnerable regions.

At the Good Media Pitch, we are looking for…

• partners to amplify our outreach efforts,
• collaborations with environmental NGOs and educational institutions,
• organizations that can facilitate community screenings and discussions, and
• partners with a wide reach who will help us to engage a broader audience.