The current chapter aims to investigate the complex linkages between climate change, environmental contaminants, and carbon dynamics across terrestrial ecosystems and glacial environments. Glaciers serve as prime carbon sinks in the cryosphere and store large amounts of organic carbon, Persistent Organic Pollutants, and Contaminants of Emerging Concern. However, as climate change accelerates the melting of these glaciers, stored carbon is released into downstream ecosystems, eventually invading terrestrial ecosystems and influencing global carbon dynamics. Microbial processes are pivotal in regulating these carbon exchanges—on land and the atmosphere, affecting climate feedback mechanisms. Combined with the release of carbon from the melting glaciers, these processes exacerbate global warming. The following chapter explores the vivid interplay between carbon storage, microbial activity, and contaminant pathways to evaluate the environmental consequences of climate-driven changes on land and ice systems. Examining these processes is crucial for forecasting future climate impacts and developing process-oriented strategies to mitigate long-term climate risks. An assessment of carbon’s effect on glacial mass balance with a discussion of potential hazards of released contaminants, the study underscores the importance of critical research into these dynamics to safeguard polar ecosystems, promote biodiversity preservation, and ensure the ecological sustainability of vulnerable regions.