The margin of error for these satellite records is 30,000 km2, so this year’s 20,000 km2 lower maximum extent is within this margin.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) has declared 2025 and 2026 statistically “tied” for this troubling record-low.
Read more: iccinet.org/record-low-2...
2026 Arctic sea ice maximum ties with record-breaking low set in 2025.
This year’s maximum sea ice extent likely occurred on March 15, reaching only 14.29 million km2. This is the smallest maximum in the 48-year satellite record, falling about 20,000 km2 lower than 2025. @nsidc.bsky.social
Graph of Earth's energy imbalance from the 1970s to present for three different datasets and measured in Watts per squared metre. There is a long-term increasing trend.
The World Meteorological Organization report on the State of the Global Climate 2025 was released today:
"Earth's energy imbalance has been growing since the 1960s, reaching a record high in 2025."
"Extreme weather impacts millions and costs billions."
Press release: wmo.int/news/media-c...
Also on today's program:
🗓️ Funding Innovation, Equity & New Models
🗓️ Research to Action: Flagship Initiatives & Implementation
Each panel brought together scientists, Indigenous leaders, and policymakers from across the globe to collaboratively build stronger climate action.
#PolarSymposium2026
The first panel addressed "International Collaboration in Times of Uncertainty" — how polar research partnerships can adapt and endure in a complex geopolitical landscape. Pam Pearson moderated 📌
Panelists: H.E. David Balton, Dr. Sara Olsvig, Dr. Antje Boetius, Dr. Burcu Ozsoy & Dr. Anil Mishra.
Today is the opening day of the 2026 Monaco Polar Symposium from Feb 25-27.
The key focus: actionable steps to translate polar research into climate action 🧊
We will share more about the program, panels, and key moments throughout the week! #Cryosphere #ClimateAction
The future of the Antarctic Peninsula under three different scenarios - the choices we make today determine the future.
Policy Brief with @granthamicl.bsky.social
spiral.imperial.ac.uk/entities/pub...
Future of the Antarctic Peninsula depends on choices today!
High emissions cause more days above 0C, rain, ocean warming, and more extreme weather events.
Limiting temps below 2C, with effective governance to increase resilience will limit potential change.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/env...
Tipping points of the #Antarctic ice sheet revealed!
Temperatures of 1–2 °C above preindustrial levels triggers the long-term collapse of 40% of marine ice in West Antarctica once the ice sheet fully responds.
Marine-based sectors in East Antarctica are at risk of losing stability at 2–5 °C.
NEW: Antarctic ice sheet not one tipping element, but interacting basins with distinct thresholds. ~40% of West Antarctic ice may be committed to long-term loss; parts of East Antarctica face risks at 2–3°C. @ricarda-winkelmann.bsky.social @juliusgarbe.github.io
www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
How can cryosphere science shape climate policy?
AMI Chief Science Advisor Dr. James Kirkham explains how cryosphere science can inform UN climate negotiations, build political ambition, and help protect melting snow and ice at a critical moment for climate action.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyfD...
ICCI's @jdkirkham.bsky.social will be speaking next week on cryosphere science diplomacy, what happened at #COP30, and what to look out for in 2026!
As world leaders, businesses and civil society gather in #Davos for the #WEF, here is a timely reminder why Greenland is indispensable to global #climate science 🧪
via: Prof Martin Siegert in @theconversation.com
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
As world leaders, businesses and civil society gather in #Davos for the #WEF, here is a timely reminder why Greenland is indispensable to global #climate science 🧪
via: Prof Martin Siegert in @theconversation.com
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
Earth’s frozen regions are sending a clear warning about climate change – but politicians are ignoring it!
👇Commentary in @theconversation.com about recent efforts to downplay and diminish #science at #COP30
🧪🌊❄️
Earth’s frozen regions are sending a clear warning about climate change – but politicians are ignoring it
theconversation.com/earths-froze...
Limiting warming to 1.5°C could more than double the number of glaciers surviving by 2100 compared with 2.7°C, and prevent the near-complete loss expected under 4.0°C warming.
News coverage: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Full paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Globally:
Glacier loss under 1.5°C is projected to peak around 2040, maxing out at ~2,000 glaciers lost per year.
Peak glacier loss under 4.0°C would culminate in the mid-2050s at ~4,000 glaciers per year, equivalent to losing the entire glacier population of the European Alps in just one year.
Over 45,000 glaciers in the western US and Canada will shrink by 70% by 2100 even if global temperature rise is limited to 1.5°C. Their loss rises to 90% under 2.7°C.
In central Europe, about 87% of today’s 3,000 glaciers will disappear under 1.5°C, but they almost completely vanish under 2.7°C.
Rising temperatures could to lead to the loss of thousands of glaciers per year, with up to ~4,000 vanishing annually under high emissions.
1.5°C could halve this loss 🧵
@landervt.bsky.social @harryzeko.bsky.social @matthias-huss.bsky.social @davidrounce.bsky.social @lilianschuster.bsky.social
Speaking from UNEP HQ in Nairobi, ICCI’s AMI Chief Science Advisor Dr. James Kirkham will kick off with a presentation on the latest cryosphere science.
⏰ Dec. 11, 15:15-17:15 GMT+3
Watch live: www.youtube.com/live/R21VGHf...
Join us at UNEA-7 this Thursday Dec. 11 on International Mountain Day:
Moderated by @unep.org's Mr. Lewis Pugh, the event will focus on cryosphere changes, regional solutions for mountain ecosystems, and frameworks for assessing losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
🔗 Livestream below!
Reflections on COP30 Global Mutirão final decision text:
Despite 🔥 and 🌧 at #COP30, we are happy to share the latest info on #AMOC shutdown from @rahmstorf.bsky.social, including perspectives from Iceland and UK govs filmed after the COP venue was evacuated!
Important messages to heed as COP30 negotiations go to the wire!
🧪🌊
youtu.be/B-0eQnEEsYA
Pleased I could participate remotely in COP30 yesterday to talk about the impact of changing ice conditions on emperor penguins - at the fantastic @iccinet.bsky.social pavilion. The ICCI do great work at COP, highlighting the importance of limiting warming for the cryo: www.youtube.com/@iccinet
Happening in less than 1 hr here at #COP30
For those joining online, the event will be livestreamed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmE7...
Tomorrow at #COP30 and online @rahmstorf.bsky.social will present latest AMOC science & potential impacts of shutdown
The event will be chaired by Minister Johannsson of Iceland and will include perspectives from representatives of Ireland, UK, Canada, and Finland
iccinet.org/cop30-cryosp...
🧪🌊
For anyone at #COP30 today or online, the Cryosphere Pavilion is hosting a quiz at 6.30 pm today!
Come and test how much you know about the Earth's frozen regions and their relevance for the negotiations happening live in Belem!
4/ Emissions cuts? Temperature limits? 🧊 As @iccinet.bsky.social says, we cannot negotiate with the melting point of ice.
“Losing sea ice is making climate change up to 15 percent worse than it would otherwise be.” — @edoddridge.bsky.social @utas.edu.au
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/a-world-with...
