Different Regions of Antarctica Have Distinct Tipping Points for Irreversible Ice Loss

Nature Climate Change, 16 February 2026 The Antarctic Ice Sheet does not respond to warming as a single system, but rather many separate regions or drainage basins — each with its own “tipping point” (risk of long-term ice loss). Some basins would lose ice gradually as temperatures rise, while others reach thresholds where large amounts […]

Rapid Warming Pushes the Antarctic Peninsula Toward Irreversible Change

Frontiers in Environmental Science, 20 February 2026 The Antarctic Peninsula has been warming 0.3-0.5°C per decade since the 1950s, up to two times faster than the global average. If global warming exceeds 2°C, the region faces substantial and irreversible damage, including major losses of sea ice, collapse of ice shelves, and rapid glacier retreat. These […]

Rapid Glacier Loss Threatens Water Supplies in Tien Shan Mountains

Water Resources Research, 9 February 2026 Glaciers in the Tien Shan mountains of Asia are projected to rapidly shrink this century, with one-third of their 2020 ice volume expected to disappear before 2040 and two-thirds by 2100 even under low emissions. Nearly all (93%) ice will however be lost this century if today’s very high […]

Today’s Emissions Choices Will Shape Greenland Ice Loss for Centuries

The Cryosphere, 8 December 2025 Present-day human choices on emissions pathways will have long-lasting consequences for melt and sea-level rise from the Greenland Ice Sheet. By 2100, Greenland is projected to contribute between 16-76 mm of sea-level rise under low emissions, 22-163 mm under moderate emissions, and 27-354 mm under high emissions. When projections are […]

COP30 Video of the Week: Biodiversity from the Polar Regions to the Amazon – Climate and Ecosystem Resilience

The Amazon rainforest and the Earth’s cryosphere, though geographically distant, are profoundly interconnected. Deforestation and biomass burning in Amazonía is linked to Andean glacier melt and downstream hydrological changes that impact biodiversity and affect species which migrate between these regions. This side event was moderated by Dr. James Yeates, CEO of the World Federation for […]

Rising Frequency and Severity of Extreme Melt Events on Greenland

Nature Communications, 11 February 2026, Early Views) The Greenland Ice Sheet has seen an increase in extreme summer melting since the 1950s, with melt events becoming more frequent, widespread, and severe. Seven of the ten most extreme melt events have occurred since 2000, with meltwater up to three times higher than the average. Rising temperatures […]

Projected Loss of Greenland’s Peripheral Glaciers with Continued High Emissions

The Cryosphere, 3 February 2026 Greenland contains many glaciers along its edge that are separate from its massive main ice sheet. This study concludes that the future of these peripheral glaciers largely depends on future emissions. Under low emissions, these glaciers are expected to lose 19% of their area and 29% of their volume by […]

Greater Snow Drought Increasing the Vulnerability of Winter Wheat Yields

Nature Food, 6 February 2026 Winter wheat regions across the Northern Hemisphere have experienced a steady rise in snow drought, with frequency increasing around 5-6% per decade from 1960 to 2020. In addition, crop yield sensitivity to snowpack water levels has significantly increased across more than 25% of winter wheat croplands. These snow droughts reduce […]

Mountain Water Loss Threatens Downstream Supply for Billions

Nature Climate Change, 9 February 2026 This study addresses emerging and cascading changes facing global mountain ecosystems from glacier loss, highlighting the damaging impact of such loss on diverse socio-ecological sectors and adaptation needs. Mountains provide both surface water and groundwater critical for downstream regions, especially in dry and semi-arid regions where billions of people […]

COP30 Video of the Week: Pakistan’s Climate Future – Youth Voices for Action at COP30

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing severe risks from floods, heatwaves, and water insecurity. It also has vibrant national, sub-national and civil society leaders, youth advocates, and policy experts working toward resilience and sustainability. This event brought together climate voices from Pakistan to share perspectives on adaptation, policy, and public engagement, while amplifying […]

AMOC Behavior During the Last Ice Age Supports Warnings of Future Weakening

Nature, 21 January 2026 New evidence confirms that the powerful North Atlantic system of ocean currents known as the AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation) kept running during the last Ice Age, despite extreme cold and extensive ice cover. Today’s models accurately predicted this past behavior, which strengthens indications these models also are on the right […]

Massive Projected Loss of Europe’s Largest Ice Cap with Continued High Emissions

The Cryosphere, 18 November 2025 Jostedalsbreen, the largest ice cap on mainland Europe, is projected to lose two-thirds of its current volume by 2100 under high emissions (SSP5-8.5), but this could be curbed to around 50% under medium emissions (SSP2-4.5). However, even with low emissions, this ice cap will probably split into three smaller ice […]

COP30 Video of the Week: Impacts of AMOC Shutdown

Observations and models suggest that the AMOC is slowing, with global implications for climate resilience and adaptation. This session brought together leading scientists and high-level government representatives to examine the emerging evidence on potential AMOC weakening, and its far-reaching implications for governments in the region in the face of predicted weather extremes, sea-level rise, and […]

Indonesia’s Last Glacier Ice Remained in 2024, But Faces Extinction by 2030

Cold Regions Science and Technology, 26 January 2026 A team of Indonesian researchers used over four decades of satellite imagery (1980–2024) to update the status of Asia’s last tropical glaciers, located in a highly inaccessible region of easternmost Indonesia. Ironically known as the “Eternity Glaciers,” ice area in this region has declined by 97% over […]

Permafrost Thaw and Wildfires Continue to Decrease the Remaining Carbon Budget

Communications Earth & Environment, 24 January 2026 Increasing permafrost thaw, including “abrupt” thaw events, together with wildfire carbon emissions are reducing global human carbon budgets. Including new data on both abrupt thaw and wildfire emissions will lower the remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C by an additional 25%, and the 2.0°C budget by 17%, compared to […]

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