A snow
perspective
on climate
change

SnowPI’s objective is to provide a robust interpretation of climate projections in support of climate adaptation and ecosystem management. The project will assess the impact of future changes in snow, land ice and permafrost on ecosystems, sea level, freshwater resources and local livelihoods. SnowPI will work closely with policymakers and local stakeholders to explore potential future scenarios and develop recommendations to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities. 

A climate model is a computer-based simulation of the Earth’s climate system. It uses scientific knowledge and physical laws to represent how different parts of the Earth interact. It can be used to recreate past climate conditions or to project how the climate may change in the future. 

The model divides the Earth into many sections and calculates how conditions such as temperature, rainfall, wind and ocean currents change over time. For example, SnowPI uses climate models to investigate how changes in snowfall can affect glaciers, ice sheets and permafrost.  

Different models are designed for different purposes. Global climate models simulate the Earth’s entire climate system, while regional climate models provide more detailed information about particular areas, such as the polar regions. By using multiple models and scenarios, scientists can estimate a range of possible future climate changes and the uncertainties associated with them. 

The cryosphere refers to all the frozen parts of the Earth. In SnowPI, we focus on the terrestrial cryosphere, which includes  

• Glaciers:  Bodies of ice formed from snow that has accumulated and compacted over many years and begun to flow under their own weight. 

• Ice sheets: Vast masses of glacial ice, such as those covering Greenland and Antarctica. 

• Permafrost:  Soil or underwater sediment that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years and can contain large amounts of stored carbon. 

• Other snow-covered land surfaces. 

These frozen environments are highly sensitive to climate change and play an important role in regulating ecosystems, water resources, sea level and the global climate system 

Snow plays an important role in the polar regions because it regulates how glaciers, ice sheets and permafrost respond to climate change and other natural and human pressures.  

Snow helps regulate the Earth’s climate in several ways. Its bright surface reflects sunlight back into space, an effect known as albedo, helping to cool the planet. Snow also acts as an insulating layer, stabilising ground temperatures and protecting the permafrost below. Even far beyond the polar regions, changes in snow can influence sea-level rise and the release of carbon from thawing permafrost. Snow is also vital for local ecosystems and communities by providing essential water resources and by supporting livelihoods that depend on healthy ecosystems.  

Understanding snow is therefore essential to study our changing planet and to help communities adapt to future change.