Inequalities of ice loss: a framework for addressing sociocryospheric change

Abstract

Cryospheric change occurs in unequal spaces. Societies living near ice are divided by race, class, gender, geography, politics and other factors. Consequently, impacts of ice loss are not shared equally, and everyone experiences cryospheric changes differently. Responsibility for recent ice loss is also driven by a relatively small portion of humanity: those who emit the most greenhouse gases. Additionally, people who study the cryosphere come from institutions and societies where inequality is often systemic, making research on ice and snow a symptom of and contributor to social inequality. To better understand unequal effects of cryospheric change within and across diverse communities, including research communities, this paper focuses on three areas, drawing primarily from glacier-related work: (1) the social context of cryospheric changes; (2) attribution and responsibility for cryospheric changes and (3) imbalances in knowledge about the cryosphere. Addressing these dimensions of ice loss requires transdisciplinary approaches that connect research to societies and link glaciology and other cryospheric sciences with social sciences and humanities. These concepts, cases and suggestions to help address inequalities also reveal that no singular conceptualization of sustainability exists. Different societies, residents and researchers possess distinct understandings of and goals for ‘ice in a sustainable society’.

For whom and by whom is glaciology?

“…However, developing meaningful relationships with communities affected by glacier and sea level change takes time and commitment, often beyond the typical time scales associated with research grants and career advancement within university or laboratory settings. Initial efforts to promote co-production through research enterprises such as the 'Navigating the New Arctic' program at the US National Science Foundation required substantial reworking after indigenous community groups reported that 'true collaboration had not occurred' along the lines of NSF objectives (Stone, 2020;Carey and Moulton, 2023). It falls to all members of the glaciology research community to ensure that the needs of communities affected by glaciological change are reflected in the research they conduct.…”