Return of the “Cryosphere Capsules” and a COP27 “Cryosphere” Summary

A warm welcome to everyone joining us for the first time after COP27! After daily updates from the Cryosphere Pavilion, this message marks the return of the “Cryosphere Capsules,” a weekly email that provides plain-language summaries for policy makers of the latest developments in cryosphere and climate science.

In the Capsules, we will also feature side event recordings from the COP27 Cryosphere Pavilion, where we hosted more than 80 side events from November 6-18, giving the floor to scientific researchers, ministers, members of Indigenous communities, youth representatives and many more; who underscored the need for urgent action to protect global communities from the consequences of cryosphere loss.

On November 16, 20 governments joined together to create a new high-level group, “Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI) on Sea-level Rise and Mountain Water Resources” (see photo below). Co-chaired by Chile and Iceland, AMI aims to ensure that the impacts of cryosphere loss are understood by political leaders and the public, not only within mountain and polar regions but throughout the planet. The AMI Declaration can be viewed here: https://iccinet.org/ambition-on-melting-ice/

In addition, the COP27 “cover decision” for the first time in “operational” language explicitly referenced the impact of climate change on the cryosphere, and need for better understanding, under the heading, “Science and Urgency.” This represents a strong step forward towards bringing cryosphere science into global climate policies.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Cryosphere Pavilion a success by organizing side events, volunteering or simply stopping by the Pavilion exhibits. Welcome back!

The ICCI Capsules and Cryosphere Pavilion Team