Academic Director of ALPOLE Professor Jérôme Chappellaz joined glaciologist Heidi Sévestre on Radio Anthropocène to reflect on polar crisis and the outcome of the first international summit dedicated to glaciers and poles
The summit, organized at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, brought together approximately 40 countries to evaluate Arctic and Antarctic preservation strategies. Chappellaz explained that this was the first summit in the "One Planet Summit" series—following the 2022 ocean summit—to specifically address the cryosphere.
The whole issue was to make sure that experts on the subject, including scientists, explorers, and communicators, could establish a state of affairs and bring a message to decision-makers. The cryosphere is often neglected in the economic and political world because it has no economic value, yet it is very important for our societies.
During the interview, both glaciologists explained how the cryosphere—which includes snow, glaciers, sea ice, ice sheets, and permafrost—acts as a climate stabilizer. Heidi Sévestre described Arctic sea ice as functioning "like a white T-shirt during summer, a bit like a mirror" that sends solar radiation back to space.
Unfortunately, we are losing this ice cap. We have lost the surface of a country like India in 40 years on the Arctic ocean. Instead, we have an ocean that is much darker, which is very effective at absorbing solar radiation, greatly disturbing the climate in the Northern Hemisphere.
Recent research published in Nature Climate Change showing that melting of West Antarctic ice is now inevitable in all warming scenarios were also discussed. Sévestre explained that floating ice barriers—"a bit like the plug of a champagne bottle"—are being "eaten away" by warming ocean water below and rising air temperatures above.
If it disappears, all the ice that was stuck behind risks melting even faster into the Southern Ocean
Sevestre warned, noting that this directly affects French cities like La Rochelle, Arles, Le Havre, and Bordeaux—not just distant places like Bangladesh.
Jérôme Chappellaz mentioned how these changes affect the ecosystem, urging animals to adapt to these changes.
This affect us human as well, and we are in a situation where we are going to have to adapt to the consequences of greenhouse gas increases warming the planet.
Chappellaz highlighted several major decisions from the summit:
Giving Voice to Vulnerable Nations: Countries like Nepal and Peru, which are heavily affected by mountain glacier loss but often lack visibility, were given a platform.
We have 2 billion individuals today who depend for their water—used for agriculture and irrigation—on glacier water
UN Decade on Poles and Glaciers: The summit launched a decade-long initiative beginning in 2025, designated by UNESCO as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation at Tajikistan's initiative.
Research Commitments: Signatory countries committed to supporting new research efforts, particularly on poorly understood areas like Antarctic ice platforms.
We know them less well than the surface of the moon
French Financial Commitment: President Macron pledged 1 billion euros over 10 years to support polar research, including renovation of Antarctic and Arctic research stations.
Protection for French Glaciers: France committed to granting stronger protection status to 100% of French glaciers and to newly exposed ecosystems left behind as glaciers retreat in the Alps.
When asked about maintaining confidence given that UN projections show only a 2% reduction in emissions by 2030 (instead of the needed 40%), Chappellaz emphasized that giving up is not an option.
Today, we don't have time to discuss, we don't have time to negotiate, we don't have time to debate. We really need to take action. COP21 gave us the trajectory. We're moving away from it—that's not why we need to give up.
Addressing the growing role of scientists in civil disobedience actions, Chappellaz acknowledged the tension between maintaining scientific neutrality and acting as citizens. While he hasn't personally engaged in civil disobedience, he respects those who have.
The scientific voice must remain as neutral and factual as possible because we are here to establish facts and bring these facts to decision-makers and citizens.
However, he emphasized the importance of reaching the "heart of the machine"—the market economy and financial institutions—recounting a conference he gave to BNP Paribas traders as one of his most impactful.
Chappellaz concluded with a call for humanity to focus on the common good:
The cryosphere, the glaciers, are objects that generally don't have an owner, that we take for granted. Today, each of us at our level has to work to the best of our ability to preserve this common good of humanity.
The complete interview is available on the Radio Anthropocene website and all podcast platforms.