Scientific reports warn of irreversible ice damage

Scientific reports issued on November 2 warn that even a temporary exceedance of a 1.5°C global temperature rise could cause irreversible damage to the planet's ice. The reports, published jointly by the International Climate Initiative for the Cryosphere (Icci) and the United Nations Environment Programme (Pnue), are titled Overshoot and the Cryosphere: Averting Global Meltdown and State of the Cryosphere 2026: The Cost of Overshoot.

Ice loss consequences outlined

According to James Kirkham, chief scientist at the Icci and lead author of the first report, "Every fraction of a degree above and every year spent in a state of exceeding leads to more devastating consequences." These include a rise in sea levels by several meters over several centuries, or even more, water shortages in regions dependent on mountain glaciers or snowfall, landslides and rockfalls in mountain ranges destabilized by permafrost melting.

Real-world examples cited

Similar catastrophes to those experienced by Nepal at the end of August, where a massive collapse of Mount Langtang Lirung caused the death of 1,403 people and left 6,150 missing, are highlighted as potential outcomes. The process is already underway: in Switzerland, glaciers have already lost 20 percent of their ice in the past five years.

Urgent action required

Scientists estimate that temperatures must drop below 1.5°C as quickly as possible to limit damage. This requires reducing global emissions by at least 5 percent per year starting now and achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century.

Known solutions proposed

The recipe is known: accelerate the exit from fossil fuels and reduce methane and soot emissions.