A Conversation with Prof. Kang, Chair of Chinese National Committee for the Int’l Assoc of Cryospheric Sciences
By Shichang Kang 25 March, 2025
What's at stake when our glaciers disappear? From water scarcity to floods, Prof. Kang, the Chair of the CNC-ICAS shares the key impacts of glacier melt, the urgent need for global climate action plus more
Read more from Shichang Kang →
We’re honoured to have collaborated with the Chinese National Committee for International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (CNC-IACS) on our latest “Stop the Melt” factsheets. The CNC-IACS comprises China’s leading experts in the field of cryospheric research and in celebration of World Glacier Day, we had the privilege to talk its chair Prof. Kang Shichang, a leading cryosphere expert to find out more about his work on glaciers, hidden risks, his personal worries & hopes plus more.
CWR: Thank you for working with us on the “Stop the Melt” factsheets to highlight that 2°C is too hot for ice, but before we jump into this, can you please introduce the many hats that you wear relating to the cryosphere? Can you also share some key projects?
Dr. Kang Shichang (SC): I am the former director of the State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Currently, I am the Director of the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Water Resources. NIEER and the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment are parallel research institutes within the Chinese Academy of Sciences. I was transferred to the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment as a Director in February, but my scientific research activities are still conducted at NIEER.
Our committee unites Chinese cryospheric scientists & experts to address SDGs & explore frontier issues in international cryospheric science
The Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) is the founder of cryospheric science and has been leading the research In this field in China. For instance, we have initiated the National Key Basic Research and Development Program focused on the cryosphere, known as the 973 Project, as well as foundational surveillance projects on glaciers, permafrost, and snow cover.
Currently, I also serve as the chairman of CNC-IACS (Chinese National Committee for the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences). Our main goal is to promote the development of cryospheric science. The committee unites and mobilizes Chinese cryospheric scientists and technical experts to address global sustainable development goals and explore frontier issues in international cryospheric science.
CWR: Since it’s the World Day for Glaciers, can you shed some light on some of the hidden risks of vanishing glaciers and what this mean for water resources? Will this impact local populations, agriculture and so on?
SC: For arid and semi-arid regions, glaciers serve as solid water reservoirs.
Rapid glacier melt will affect ‘peak regulation & dry replenishment’ abilities of water resources…
…+ increase in glacial lakes = more outbursts floods
The rapid melting and retreat of glaciers will affect the stable supply of water resources, particularly their “peak regulation and dry replenishment” capabilities. Which, of course, will affect regional industrial and agricultural production and people’s livelihoods.
Glacier retreats will also lead to the increase of glacial lakes, which can bring about glacial lake outburst floods, and cause loss of life and property.
CWR: Clearly glaciers are important. There’s a lot of science on accelerated cryosphere loss, but how can get we get non scientists interested in this? Is this through first-hand experiences/ educational programmes? Are you seeing more interest in this field within China?
SC: The most significant cause of the cryosphere’s shrinking is global warming, and by focusing on glacier retreat, we can help the public feel the direct impact of global warming. Through popular science articles, short videos and other means, we let the public understand the urgency of global climate governance. And these have achieved results.
Popular science articles, short videos etc., helps the public understand the urgency of climate governance…
…policymakers are now recognising the importance of glaciers
Policymakers and decision-makers are now recognizing the importance of glaciers and integrating them into water management; at the same time, passing legislation to protect glaciers.
Additionally, slowing down glacier melt is also a current concern, and the scientific community is working hard on this end, conducting various types of research and experiments to find multiple ways to effectively slow down glacier melt.
CWR: So as the “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences” kicks off this year, what key outcomes are you hoping to see?
SC: We aim to initiate international cooperation to implement comprehensive networked observation research in key regions, understand the critical mechanisms and impacts of rapid cryospheric retreat, and accurately predict the future impacts of cryospheric retreat, all in order to develop appropriate adaptation strategies.
NIEER aims to initiate international cooperation for more comprehensive research & accurate impact predictions, to better adaptation strategies
In terms of talent development, we will implement action plans to strengthen the preparation of personnel in cryospheric science.
Furthermore, we seek to raise public awareness of scientific knowledge, especially on cryosphere retreat and its hazards caused by global warming, in order to promote green action among the public.
Further readings
- A Conversation with Dr. James Kirkham, Ambition on Melting Ice Chief Science Advisor & Coordinator – We sat down with Dr. Kirkham, Ambition on Melting Ice Chief Science Advisor & Coordinator at COP29 to find out more from their latest report, insider discussions at COP29 & what needs to happen to slow down ice loss
- 2°C Too Hot For Ice & Rising Seas – A Conversation with ICCI Director Pearson – Lead ice scientists are calling to “take 2°C off the table” and you’ll understand why from our conversation with ICCI Director Pearson, who makes it clear just how bad the situation is for our cryosphere, ice sheets & sea level rise but she still has some hope
- Too Fast, Too Soon – Vanishing Ice & Rising Seas – With persistent global warming, the ‘Big Melt’ we fear has begun in the polar regions, leading to unprecedented ice loss & devastating sea level rise. Get on top of some ice cold facts with CWR’s Tan & Low
More on Latest
- Help “Stop the Melt” with a new 13-Factsheet Guide! – New CWR 13 factsheet guide to Stop The Melt! The precarious state of our cryosphere brings a torrent of “hidden” risks from SLR to disappearing glaciers & more. It’s daunting but we must act. Start by checking out our guide done in collaboration with top cryosphere scientists/institutes who are at the front lines of climate change
- Sea-level rise: a new method to estimate the probability of different outcomes – including a worst case – A new method built on the IPCC 6AR now projects that it’s ‘very likely’ global sea levels will reach 1.9m by 2100 under a high emissions scenario. Authors of the new paper, Grandey & Horton breakdown their findings in The Conversation
- Reflections On Ice – 5 Hopes & Fears – We are not prepared for the ice-cold truths but we need to be & quickly. Get on top of it all with CWR’s Tan & Low who share 5 hopes & fears on everything ice after doing our just released 13 factsheet guide to Stop The Mel
