From Lakes in Poland to Global Water Security: A 25-Year Perspective from the Polish Limnological Society

The designation of 2026 as the World Economic Forum’s Year of Water underscores the growing recognition of freshwater systems as critical to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic stability. Coinciding with this global initiative, the Polish Limnological Society (PLS) marks its 25th anniversary, offering an opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of limnology in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Founded in 2001, PLS has advanced integrative research on inland waters, fostered international scientific cooperation, supported scholarly publishing, and promoted societal engagement with freshwater issues. This Perspective highlights society’s contributions to understanding the natural and anthropogenic transformations of lakes and reservoirs, its commitment to open science and education, and its engagement in climate advocacy to address global water security. We argue that the experience of PLS illustrates how sustained, community-driven limnological science can inform policy, management, and public discourse, reinforcing the imperative to safeguard inland waters in an era of accelerating global change.