EATING SNOW: A LAST RESORT BORN OF SCARCITY

In extreme cold or survival situations, some people consume snow for hydration despite understanding the dangers. Eating snow can actually worsen dehydration and increase the risk of hypothermia, as the body must expend precious energy to melt it internally. It is only considered a last resort when no liquid water is available.

(Although snow can be collected fresh and white, away from pollutants, then melted and boiled before consumption, ideally with added electrolytes to reduce health risks)

For the poor and vulnerable, this practice is not a choice it is a consequence of deprivation.

Resource Scarcity: Low-income families often lack basic winter necessities such as proper clothing, heating, or insulated housing. What others experience as a “snow day” can instead highlight the harsh reality of limited resources and exposure to cold.

Infrastructure Failure: When freezing temperatures cause water pipes to burst or electricity to fail, those without financial means may be forced to melt snow for basic needs, drinking, cooking, or even flushing toilets because alternative water sources are unaffordable or inaccessible.

Displaced Populations: In 2025, families living in conflict zones or displacement camps such as in Gaza face severe hunger and cold as winter floods and snowfall destroy fragile shelters. With clean water scarce and aid limited, melting snow may become one of the few remaining options for hydration and survival.

Imagine how fortunate we are to live in Malaysia, where water flows freely from our taps, food is accessible, and shelter is rarely threatened by extreme cold.

Many of us move through our days without pausing to reflect on these blessings, simply because they are always there. Yet elsewhere, people endure winter without warmth, melt snow just to drink, and struggle daily for necessities we often take for granted.

Gratitude grows when we compare comfort with hardship and awareness reminds us that abundance is not universal, nor guaranteed. Recognising this should humble us, soften our hearts, and encourage responsibility: to be thankful, to avoid waste, and to care for those less fortunate.