This Special Issue of Global Sustainability seeks to foster new insights into the socio-ecological complexities of glacial and periglacial changes. It invites contributions that combine natural science approaches—such as hydrology, glaciology, permafrost research, and climate science—with social science frameworks—including sustainability, political ecology, anthropology, and sociology. Deadline for manuscripts is 31st May 2025.
Glaciers and their peripheral frozen environments, as significant components of the cryosphere, are experiencing drastic and irreversible changes under climate change (IPCC AR6, 2023). Glacier retreat and intensified melting pose a threat to freshwater availability and induce hazards. Periglacial regions, encompassing ice-saturated frozen grounds known as permafrost, are abundant in water resources and are facing similar challenges to those of visible surface glaciers (Climate Change in Sápmi, 2023). These impacts are particularly pronounced in cold mountain regions in the Himalayas, Andes, Alps, and in the Arctic, where the livelihood and social-economic activities of local communities rely heavily on glaciers and permafrost (Carey et al., 2017; Crate et al.,2017). The retreat of glaciers and degradation of permafrost are not only a biophysical phenomenon but also a deeply social and political issue, impacting the livelihoods, cultures, and governance of communities who rely on these frozen waters. Understanding the multifaceted impacts of glacial retreat and permafrost degradation requires an interdisciplinary approach that bridges the divide between natural sciences and social sciences. This special collection, titled Melting Ice and Society: Unravelling the Sustainability Challenges of Glacierized and Periglacierized Environments seeks to create a space where these diverse perspectives can converge, fostering new insights into the socio-ecological complexities of glacial and periglacial changes. By integrating methods & approaches, the issue hopes to offer a comprehensive understanding of how glacial and periglacial change reshapes not just the physical environment but also the social, political, and cultural fabric of glacierized and periglacial regions.
Deadline for manuscripts is 31st May 2025.