The Ice Puzzle: How LIQUIDICE Unlocks the Secrets of Climate and Water Resources
Is the future of our planet melting before our eyes? Scientists around the world are racing to answer this question, and the EU funded LIQUIDICE project is at the forefront of this mission. This ground-breaking international research initiative brings together 18 leading institutions from Europe and India to investigate how glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost shape the global climate and water supply.
Using cutting-edge technology—from satellite observations to advanced climate models—LIQUIDICE will analyze key glacial regions, known as supersites, that play a crucial role in both local ecosystems and global climate processes.
Why does this research matter? Because melting ice isn’t just about shrinking glaciers—it’s about rising sea levels, disrupted water cycles, and real-world consequences for millions of people. The data from LIQUIDICE will help improve predictions of future climate changes and guide decisions in water management, energy security, tourism, and adaptation strategies.
LIQUIDICE focuses on key glacial regions—so-called supersites—that play a crucial role in both local ecosystems and global climate processes:
???? Monte Rosa, Italy – A crucial source of hydroelectric power and winter tourism, but shrinking snow cover threatens these industries.
???? Jostedalsbreen, Norway – Provides up to 15% of Norway’s hydropower, making it a key element of energy security.
???? Greenland Ice Sheet – The Ilulissat and Kangerlussuaq catchments show how melting ice sheets affect global sea levels and freshwater resources.
???? Svalbard, Arctic – Permafrost is disappearing, destabilizing infrastructure and altering fjord ecosystems.
???? Himalayas, Ladakh – Melting glaciers and shifting rainfall patterns threaten the water supply of 240 million people in the region and 1.65 billion people downstream.
LIQUIDICE is an urgent and compelling story—about science serving the climate, about global challenges, and about how researchers worldwide are joining forces to better understand the future of our planet.
The LIQUIDICE project launches on February 1st and will run for four years. Stay tuned as we uncover the hidden impact of snow and ice on our planet’s future!
