The Cryosphere as a Driver of Global Change

COP Event - Science for Climate Action Pavilion
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(America/Belem: 15 November 2025, 11:45 - 13:00)
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The cryosphere — encompassing all frozen components of the Earth system such as glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, snow, and permafrost — plays a critical role as both an indicator and a driver of global change. As the planet warms, the rapid loss of ice and snow amplifies climate feedbacks. The melting of glaciers and ice sheets contributes significantly to sea-level rise, reshaping coastlines and threatening low-lying communities. Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, intensifying atmospheric warming. Meanwhile, changes in sea ice affect ocean circulation and weather patterns, influencing ecosystems and human livelihoods far beyond the polar regions. In this way, the cryosphere acts not just as a passive victim of climate change but as a powerful force shaping Earth’s climate and future. 

Agenda

11:45 – 11:50 UTC-3
Opening Remarks by Dr Stefan Uhlenbrook, Director of Hydrology, Water and Cryosphere Division, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Ms Pam Pearson, Director of the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI)

11:50 – 12:20 UTC-3
Keynote Presentations

  • Ice sheets and sea level rise by Dr Florence Colleoni, Glaciologist and Paleoclimatologist, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS), Trieste
  • The High Mountain regions of the world by Dr Miriam Jackson, Glaciologist and Climate Scientist
  • Polar oceans and the global carbon cycle by Dr Thiago Monteiro, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oceanography at the Institute of Geosciences (IGEO), Federal University of Bahia (UFBA)
  • The Cryosphere Decade, International Year of Glaciers' Preservation (IYGP) and the International Polar Year (IPY) by Dr Anil Mishra

12:20 – 12:30 UTC-3
Questions and Answers (Q&A)

12:30 – 12:55 UTC-3
Panel Discussion

  • Dr James Kirkham, Chief Science Advisor and Coordinator of the Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI) High-level Group on Sea-level Rise and Mountain Water Resources
  • Ice sheets, biology, and science communication by Ms Ellie Miller
  • Glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost by Mr Josep Bonsoms
  • Polar/atmospheric microbiology (glaciers) by Ms Laura Molares Mocayo

12:55 – 13:00 UTC-3
Closing

Speakers

A man wearing glasses and a suit.
Stefan Uhlenbrook, Director, Hydrology, Water and Cryosphere
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Person smiling outdoors with the ocean and a clear blue sky in the background.
Florence Colleoni, Glaciologist and Paleoclimatologist
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A woman in a blue jacket and headband sits on a boat with icy water and a glacier in the background.
Miriam Jackson, Glaciologist and Climate Scientist
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A man in a black jacket stands outdoors by a body of water with snowy mountains in the background on a sunny day.
Thiago Monteiro, Assistant Professor
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A middle-aged man with short gray hair wearing a gray suit, white shirt, and maroon tie, facing forward against a plain white background.
Anil Mishra, Chief, Hydrological Systems, Climate Change and Adaptation of UNESCO
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A man with brown hair and a beard, dressed in a blue jacket and multicolored scarf, stands outdoors near icy water with an iceberg in the background.
James Kirkham, Glaciologist and Climate Scientist
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A person in a winter jacket and hat stands on a boat, smiling and gesturing toward a glacier and snowy mountains under a clear blue sky.
Ellie Miller, PhD Student
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A person in winter gear stands on a snowy mountain, holding ski goggles above their head and smiling at the camera.
Josep Bonsoms, Researcher and Teaching Fellow
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A person in a dark jacket and red life vest stands smiling in a snowy, mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky.
Laura Molares Moncayo, PhD student at Queen Mary University of London (UK) and Aix-Marseille University (France)
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