Event
Why glaciers matter: Addressing climate impacts in the cryosphere through science-based interventions
Official UNFCCC side-event in Room I
Changes in the cryosphere have become a symbol of global warming and provide key indicators of climate change. These changes impact water resources availability, and have profound consequences for communities and livelihoods around the world. In upstream mountain areas, communities face increasing risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, and avalanches due to the destabilization of ice and snow. Downstream, glacier-fed water sources may experience seasonal water shortages, affecting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and hydropower generation. Coastal communities are also severely impacted by sea level rise mostly as a contribution of melting ice sheets.
This event will focus on the critical role glaciers play in the global ecosystem and the urgent need to address their rapid melting. Participants will explore science-based interventions aimed at mitigating the environmental and societal impacts of glacier loss. The event will also highlight the importance of strengthening the science-policy interface, ensuring that research translates into effective climate policies. Emphasizing the value of international cooperation, the event aims to foster partnerships for sustainable development, driving collective action to preserve glaciers and protect ecosystems vital to global climate stability.
The session contributes to the goals of the 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025-2034).