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Visual Survey of Oceania’s Remaining GlaciersThe Guardian released a striking collection of images that map the handful of glaciers still extant in Oceania. The series focuses on the Southern Alps of New Zealand, the sub‑Antarctic islands such as Heard and Macquarie, and the isolated peaks of Papua New Guinea, providing a geographic snapshot of where ice persists in the Pacific realm.Satellite Evidence of Ongoing Ice LossAccompanying the photographs, satellite data confirm that these glaciers are shrinking at a measurable pace. Recent observations show consistent retreat of glacier termini by several metres each year, a trend that mirrors broader patterns of warming in the Southern Hemisphere.Why the Decline Matters for the RegionGlaciers in Oceania serve as critical freshwater reservoirs, feeding rivers that support agriculture, hydroelectric power, and local ecosystems. Their loss threatens water security for downstream communities and diminishes the natural heritage that underpins tourism in areas like New Zealand’s alpine valleys.Looking Ahead: The Future of Oceania’s IceIf current temperature trajectories continue, the remaining glaciers could disappear within decades. Scientists warn that accelerated melt will exacerbate sea‑level rise and alter regional climate patterns, making early monitoring and mitigation essential.

The Disappearance of Indonesia's 'Eternity Glaciers' An expedition to document the end days of the last tropical glaciers in Oceania has revealed sombre footage of “planetary destruction on fast-forward”. The State of Puncak Jaya's Glaciers The once-mighty ice sheets on Puncak Jaya, a mountain surrounded by dense rainforests in West Papua, Indonesia, have survived beyond projections they would disappear by 2026 but have shrunk to a fraction of their original size. The most significant of the two remaining glaciers, which are known locally as “eternal snow” and referred to in English as the “eternity glaciers”, has lost 95% of its area since 2002, the expedition found. The Data Behind the Disappearance Papua’s tropical glaciers lost 97% of their ice mass between 1980 and 2024, Indonesian researchers found in a study published last month. Four of its six glaciers have completely disappeared, and they project the final two will be gone by the end of the decade. 97% of ice mass lost between 1980 and 2024 4 out of 6 glaciers have completely disappeared The remaining 2 glaciers are expected to disappear by the end of the decade The Impact of Climate Change Carbon pollution and the destruction of nature has heated the planet by about 1.4C since preindustrial times, making it less hospitable to human life. Glaciers are projected to lose a quarter of their global mass by 2100, even in a best-case scenario for cutting emissions, with devastating consequences for drinking water and food security. The Future Outlook “The ice will be gone: it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when,” said Klaus Thymann, a Danish explorer and the founder of Project Pressure, an environmental charity. “And ‘when’ is coming very, very soon.”

The Arctic Heatwave That Redefined Europe's Climate RealityThe Nordic heatwave that pushed temperatures above 30C (86F) in the Arctic Circle in July was part of a record-breaking year that saw abnormal heat sear more than 95% of Europe, a report has found. Parts of Scandinavia were scorched by 21 days of punishingly hot weather that led to "tropical nights" in typically cool countries such as Norway, Sweden and Finland.Europe's Unprecedented Temperature AccelerationThe scientists found temperatures in Europe have risen by 0.56C per decade since the mid-1990s – faster than any other continent on the planet – due to the blanket of fossil fuel pollution covering the Earth. Svalbard, one of the fastest-warming places on the planet, has heated at three to four times the average European rate, the report found.Record Wildfires and Devastating Land LossHot weather fueled deadly wildfires in 2025 that set large parts of Europe ablaze. More than one million hectares of land went up in flames, 4.7% more than the previous record set in 2017. The Iberian peninsula suffered the worst of the wildfires due to a dry summer after a wet spring. In Spain, volunteer firefighters died as they raced to carve out breaks in the vegetation around their villages with little more than farming tools to fend off flames. The burned area in Spain accounted for 38% of the European total.Vanishing Snow and Shrinking GlaciersThe heat melted snow and shrunk glaciers in every region of Europe, the report found, with Iceland witnessing its second-greatest loss of glacier mass on record. Meanwhile, the Greenland ice sheet lost 139 gigatons of ice in 2025 and raised global sea levels by nearly half a millimetre, according to the report. Annual snow cover fell by 31% and snow mass by 45% from their average over the last few decades.Europe's Waters Reach Record High TemperaturesEuropean waters were the hottest ever seen after the fourth year in a row of broken sea surface temperature records, the scientists found. A record 86% of its ocean experienced "strong" heatwaves at some point in 2025, while 36% experienced "severe" or "extreme" heat. Annual sea surface temperatures in Europe reached the highest levels recorded, according to the EU's Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).The Climate Emergency Warning System"All the emergency warning lights are flashing red," said John Hyland from Greenpeace, which has said the EU's climate targets are too low to fulfill its responsibilities. "Either governments take swift and effective action to cut carbon pollution right now or they can continue irresponsibly rolling back protections, placing countless people's health, homes, jobs and livelihoods at risk."The 1.5C Target and BeyondWorld leaders promised in 2015 to try to stop the planet from heating by more than 1.5C (2.7F) above preindustrial levels by the end of the century, a task that requires dramatic reductions in the burning of coal, oil and gas. The failure to cut pollution in line with scientific roadmaps has pushed global heating past 1.3C. Limiting global heating to 1.5C now relies on removing vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to bring temperatures down.Preparing for a Warmer FutureCeleste Saulo, the secretary general of the WMO, said record greenhouse gas levels had made it "virtually impossible" to keep global heating below 1.5C without temporarily overshooting the target. "What is important is to keep this overshoot as short and as shallow as possible." In February, the EU's scientific advisers urged it to prepare for 3C of global heating and described current efforts as "insufficient, largely incremental [and] often coming too late." They called on the EU to mandate climate risk assessments, embed climate resilience into all policies and channel more money into protective measures.

The Alarming Rise in European Temperatures Europe has been identified as the fastest-warming continent in the latest climate change report. The region experienced severe climate impacts in 2025, including record-high marine temperatures and widespread wildfires. Record-Breaking Temperatures and Weather Events According to the report by the World Meteorological Organization and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), nearly all of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures in 2025. This included a 21-day heatwave in sub-Arctic Norway, Sweden, and Finland, which was their worst on record. The Data Analysis The report highlighted several key statistics: Wildfires burned more than 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) of land, roughly the size of Cyprus. About 70 percent of European rivers recorded below-average annual flows. Snow cover across Europe fell by nearly 30 percent to 1.32 million square kilometres (509,655 square miles) in March 2025. Glacier loss was recorded across Europe, with the second-largest loss on record observed in Iceland. The Impact Analysis The report's findings paint a grim picture of climate change in Europe. The region's rapid warming is having severe impacts, including: Drought conditions Widespread wildfires Record-high marine temperatures The Prediction The report's authors are calling for urgent action to address the accelerating pace of climate change. As Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at ECMWF, noted: 'The evidence is unequivocal; climate change is not a future threat, it is our present reality.'

Climate Threats By the end of the 21st century only 8 of the 21 former host cities will remain cold enough for reliable Games, according to climate projections. The Milano Cortina 2026 organisers already face artificial‑snow production, remote‑site transport and new‑infrastructure demands. A petition to bar fossil‑fuel sponsors prompted Kirsty Coventry, IOC president, to say the body is “having conversations in order to be better”. The New Weather Institute estimates that sponsorship by Eni, Stellantis and ITA Airways will add 40% to the Games’ carbon footprint – enough to melt 3.2 km² of snow and 20 million tonnes of glacier ice. Financial Overruns Research by Alexander Budzier and Bent Flyvbjerg shows every Olympics since 1960 exceeded budget forecasts, with an average overrun of 159% (Winter Games 132%, Summer 195%). Milano Cortina 2026 has already spent $1.7 bn, surpassing the original $1.3 bn estimate, plus an extra $3.5 bn in public infrastructure investment. Typical contingency buffers of 10‑15% are insufficient; optimism bias and under‑estimated inflation have become systemic. IOC Revenue Structure Between 2017‑2020/21 the IOC generated $7.6 bn in revenue, 91% of which came from broadcasting and sponsorship rights. The same share applied to 2013‑2016, indicating limited flexibility to shift funding away from high‑carbon activities. Spectator travel accounts for 410,000 of the estimated 930,000 tonnes CO₂e for Milano Cortina 2026. Proposed Solutions Introduce a geographical ticket‑price contingency to discourage long‑haul travel. Spread events across multiple locations to reuse existing venues and cut travel. Adopt stricter, transparent sustainability metrics – reviving a more rigorous version of the abandoned Olympic Games Impact (OGI) framework. Prioritise media‑centric revenue while reducing high‑carbon tourism. Professor Martin Müller defines a sustainable sports event as one that “minimises ecological impact, promotes social wellbeing, ensures economic viability and implements accountable governance”. His team is building a 1990‑2024 database to benchmark future Games.

Argentina's glacier law has been in effect since 2010, and was the first legislation in Latin America to protect glaciers. It has been a point of contention for mining companies and provincial authorities ever since.The law bans 'any activity' that can affect the 'natural condition' of a glacier or the periglacial frozen land surrounding it, or that results in 'its destruction, movement or interferes with its advance'. That includes the construction of infrastructure not for scientific purposes and any industrial activity. Mining companies, including Barrick, have previously sought to have the law deemed unconstitutional, but the supreme court rejected the challenge.However, a recent reform to the glacier law driven by the far-right government of Javier Milei will relax restrictions, paving the way for mines in high-altitude areas blanketed with ice and snow, which are sources of water. The new law, approved on Wednesday by 137 votes to 111, with three abstentions, will enable provincial authorities to decide which glaciers are protected and which are open for development based on whether they represent a 'relevant water function'.Environmentalists and community members such as Zeballos, a 51-year-old accountant turned activist, have long alleged that Veladero, owned by Canada-based Barrick Mining Corporation and China's Shandong Gold, is operating illegally in an area considered off-limits by Argentina's Ley de Glaciares – or glacier law. The reform has sparked a wave of protests, with Greenpeace activists staging a demonstration on the steps of the National Congress.'What is at stake is the protection of key water reserves in Argentina,' says Andrés Nápoli, a lawyer and executive director of the Foundation of Environment and Natural Resources (Farn), an environmental and human rights NGO. 'Saying that you have to destroy glaciers to guarantee the energy transition is an oxymoron.'About 7 million people, 16% of the population in Argentina, live in areas that depend on glaciers, according to environmental organisations. Glaciers don't just feed rivers; they balance fragile ecosystems hit hard by a heating planet. In Argentina's northwest, scientists say they have shrunk by 17% in the past 10 years.

Argentina's lawmakers have given the green light to a bill championed by President Javier Milei that permits mining in sensitive glacier and permafrost regions. The move has sparked fierce criticism from environmentalists, who argue it jeopardizes vital water sources. The bill, which was already approved by the Senate in February, passed with 137 votes in favor, 111 against, and three abstentions in the Chamber of Deputies after a marathon 12-hour debate. This development is seen as a significant victory for Milei, who has been pushing for looser regulations to attract large-scale mining projects. Environmentalists have expressed deep concerns that the reforms will undermine protections for glaciers and permafrost, which are crucial for water supplies. Thousands of people demonstrated outside parliament, with some protesters clashing with police. Banners displayed slogans such as 'Water is more precious than gold!' and 'A glacier destroyed cannot be restored!' The bill allows for mining of metals like copper, lithium, and silver in the Andes mountains. Argentina is a major producer of lithium, a critical component for the global tech and green energy sectors. The central bank forecasts that mining exports could triple by 2030. Milei, who does not believe in man-made climate change, argues that the bill is necessary for economic growth. 'Environmentalists would rather see us starve than have anything touched,' he has stated. The reform gives provinces more power to decide which areas to protect and which to exploit economically. Environmental activist Flavia Broffoni countered that 'the science is clear' and that creating a 'sustainable mine' in a periglacial environment is not possible. With nearly 17,000 glaciers and rock glaciers in Argentina, concerns over glacial reserves shrinking due to climate change add urgency to the debate.

Argentina's congress has approved a bill promoted by President Javier Milei that authorizes mining in ecologically sensitive areas of glaciers and permafrost, sparking widespread environmental protests. The bill, which was already approved by the senate in February, will make it easier to mine for metals such as copper, lithium, and silver in frozen parts of the Andes mountains.The chamber of deputies approved the amendment with 137 votes in favor, 111 against, and three abstentions after nearly 12 hours of debate. Environmentalists argue that the legislative changes will weaken protections for crucial water sources, with thousands protesting outside parliament, holding banners with slogans such as “Water is more precious than gold!” and “A glacier destroyed cannot be restored!”Seven Greenpeace activists were arrested earlier in the day after scaling a statue outside parliament and unfurling a banner urging lawmakers “not to betray the Argentine people”. The passage of the amendment is a new coup for Milei, who pushed through looser labor laws in February despite repeated street protests.Environmental activists, such as Flavia Broffoni, argue that there is no possibility of creating a 'sustainable mine' in a periglacial environment. Argentina has nearly 17,000 glaciers or rock glaciers, with glacial reserves in the north-west shrinking by 17% in the last decade due to climate change.Milei, a free-market radical who does not believe in human-made climate change, says the bill is necessary to attract large-scale mining projects. The Central Bank of Argentina estimates that the country could triple its mining exports by 2030. Supporters argue that the bill will provide legal certainty and clear definitions, while critics, such as Enrique Viale, warn that it threatens the water supply for 70% of Argentinians.

The increasing congestion of Earth's orbit with satellites is raising concerns about the environmental impact of space activities. A recent UN report highlighted the urgent need for sustainable practices to manage potential orbital congestion and environmental impacts.One of the most pressing issues is the risk of space debris, also known as 'space junk', which includes discarded rocket stages and defunct satellites. The surge in orbital activity has created a significant collision risk, and there have already been a handful of crashes. In 2007, a Chinese anti-satellite weapon test intentionally blew up a weather satellite, creating a dangerous cloud of space debris.Researchers fear that the impact of space activities on the ozone layer, which shields the planet from radiation, could be significant. A study found that roughly 10% of particles in the stratosphere contain metals that originated from space activities such as rocket launches.The Guardian has launched an interactive project to visualize the tens of thousands of human-made objects spinning around the globe. The project reveals a significant problem which, if left unchecked, could disrupt some of humanity's most important services such as the internet and weather prediction.As a global society, we rely on satellites constantly, not only to help us navigate around using Google Maps, but also to provide internet access and, critically, predict the weather. Space-based monitoring of the Earth also allows researchers to track deforestation, desertification, glacier and ice-cap melt, and the spread of oil spills.