From grief to hope: the diverse emotional pathways of glacier loss in the tropics

The emotional dimensions of glacier retreat remain underexplored despite the impacts of glacier loss on biodiversity, nature’s contributions to people, and cultural identities. This study examines the diverse emotional pathways arising from glacier loss and their links to different climate actions. Drawing on 34 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from over ten tropical countries—including Indigenous peoples and local communities, environmental advocates, scientists, mountaineers, and artists—we identify five primary emotions: care, concern, sadness, acceptance, and hope. These emotions are shaped by lived experiences, values (intrinsic, instrumental, and relational), as well as political and socio-economic contexts. While negative emotions are an inevitable part of climate change impacts and often reflect grief and anxiety, positive emotions—especially care and hope—might be nurtured by engagement in various types of climate action, such as glacier monitoring, awareness-raising or nature restoration, contributing to self-identity building and increased well-being. Our results illustrate how personal histories, spiritual beliefs, socio-economic context and professional practices influence emotional responses, and highlight the importance of incorporating emotional narratives into climate communication and policy to foster adaptation strategies grounded in both knowledge and affect.