https://doi.org/10.1177/20530196251334762 The Anthropocene Review 1–9 © The Author(s) 2025 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/20530196251334762 journals.sagepub.com/home/anr Losing glaciers: A call for emotional engagement and expanded collaboration in research on the ecological crisis Marzia Varutti, 1 Mauro Gobbi 2 and Daniel Gaudio 3 Abstract This article focuses on one of the most evident aspects of the ongoing climate crisis: the quick reduction or loss of glacier masses in different areas of the planet. In this context we call for the pertinence and relevance of emotional engagement and expanded collaboration in research on ecological issues. Integrating disciplinary perspectives on glaciers, drawn from the environmental sciences, the environmental humanities, and forensic archeology, this article explores shared concerns with the loss and change of crucially important glacier ecosystems, and erosion of the imagination, cultural identity, and emotional connections linked to these natural phenomena. Awareness of loss, however, is argued here as critical to engendering engagement with emotions – in research, scientific dissemination efforts, and among the public at large. This, coupled with expanded collaboration (i.e. an interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration), may contribute to the development of more impactful scientific research and communication on ecological topics relevant to broader human-environment challenges. Keywords climate change, cultural heritage, ecological loss, emotions, forensic archeology, glacial archeology, glacier ecology, transdisciplinarity The multiple dimensions of the ecological crisis We live in an ecological crisis, on a scale unprecedented in modern human history. Human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, food waste, plastic pollution, deforestation, air and soil pollution, melting ice caps and sea level rise, and ocean acidification are just some of the most patent signs 1 University of Geneva, Switzerland 2 MUSE-Science Museum, Italy 3 Durham University, UK Corresponding author: Mauro Gobbi, Climate and Ecology Unit, Research and Museum Collections Office, MUSE-Science Museum, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, Trento 38122, Italy. Email: mauro.gobbi@muse.it 1334762ANR 0 0 10.1177/20530196251334762The Anthropocene ReviewVarutti et al. research-article 2025 Perspectives and controversies