SVKM’s Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics

(Autonomous)

2023-24

FY BCOM (ECONOMICS)
Semester I
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

CANADIAN GLACIER MELT- CASE STUDY

Submitted by:

NAME: Gunjan Kirtani

SAP No: 45616230006
Roll No:

A 009
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction………………………………………………………2
Objectives of case study………………………………………….4
Case study………………………………………………………..5
Observations and suggestions……………………………………9
Conclusion………………………………………………………11
Bibliography…………………………………………………….13

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 INTRODUCTION

GLACIERS, THE GREAT GUARDIANS OF THE STABILITY OF THE PLANET'S

CLIMATE

A glacier is a large, perennial accumulation of crystalline ice, snow, rock, sediment, and often
liquid water that originates on land and moves down slope under the influence of its own
weight and gravity. Glaciers are classified according to their morphology — ice fields, cirque
glaciers, valley glaciers, etc, the climate — polar, tropical or temperate and their thermal
conditions — cold, hot or polythermal base.

Ice acts like a protective cover over the Earth and our oceans. These bright white spots reflect
excess heat back into space and keep the planet cooler. In theory, the Arctic remains colder
than the equator because more of the heat from the sun is reflected off the ice, back into
space.
Glaciers around the world can range from ice that is several hundred to several thousand
years old and provide a scientific record of how climate has changed over time. Through their
study, we gain valuable information about the extent to which the planet is rapidly warming.
They provide scientists a record of how climate has changed over time.

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The Earth's glaciers have been silently retreating for more than half a century as climate
change inexorably marches on. There is no place on the planet — except south-east Asia —
capable of withstanding the effects of a phenomenon that has melted more than 9.6 billion
tonnes of glacial ice in the world since 1961.

WHY ARE GLACIERS MELTING?

Since the early 1900s, many glaciers around the world have been rapidly melting. Human
activities are at the root of this phenomenon. Specifically, since the industrial revolution,
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions have raised temperatures, even higher in
the poles, and as a result, glaciers are rapidly melting, calving off into the sea and retreating
on land.
Scientists project that if emissions continue to rise unchecked, the Arctic could be ice free in
the summer as soon as the year 2040 as ocean and air temperatures continue to rise rapidly.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF MELTING GLACIERS?

Melting glaciers add to rising sea levels, which in turn increases coastal erosion and elevates
storm surge as warming air and ocean temperatures create more frequent and intense coastal
storms like hurricanes and typhoons.
Today, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as anywhere on earth, and the sea ice there is
declining by more than 10% every 10 years. As this ice melts, darker patches of ocean start to

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emerge, eliminating the effect that previously cooled the poles, creating warmer air
temperatures and in turn disrupting normal patterns of ocean circulation.The glacial melt we
are witnessing today in Antarctic and Greenland is changing the circulation of the Atlantic
Ocean and has been linked to collapse of fisheries in the Gulf of Maine and more destructive
storms and hurricanes around the planet.
What happens in these places has consequences across the entire globe. As sea ice and
glaciers melt and oceans warm, ocean currents will continue to disrupt weather patterns
worldwide. Industries that thrive on vibrant fisheries will be affected as warmer waters
change where and when fish spawn.In the Arctic, as sea ice melts, wildlife like walrus are
losing their home and polar bears are spending more time on land, causing higher rates of
conflict between people and bears.

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 OBJECTIVES

● To scrutinise the impact of glaciers melt on the ecosystem, which includes flora and
fauna, to comprehend the ecological consequences of glaciers retreat.

● Investigating the relation between the climate change patterns and the glacier melt
.
● To find out the degree of damage caused to infrastructure such as road, building and
bridges due to different glaciers melt patterns.

● Explore the effect of glaciers melt on the tourism sector, the sector that may be highly
affected due to change in landscape aesthetics.

● Examine the vulnerability of the people residing near disaster-hit areas .

● Explore the various factors causing glacier melt in the region, which can climate
change, regional temperature variations, and potential anthropogenic influences, to
determine primary drivers.

● To aware people about the glacier melts , causes , damages caused and the
importance of sustainable development to relieve further environmental degradation.

● Evaluate the impact of glaciers melt on water resources , such as alternations in river
discharge , changes in hydrological patterns and availability of the freshwater for the
humans and ecosystem.

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 CASE STUDY
BC’s Glaciers: Melting Melting Melting
Glaciers are melting across the globe, but what about those in western Canada? The current
status and future of glaciers in British Columbia and Alberta are the subject of extensive
research, the first findings of which are unsettling.

(GPS is used by professor Brian Menounos and PhD candidate Matt Beedle (left) to
assess changes in glacier thickness.)

Imagine pouring water into BC Place Stadium. Next, drain it. Proceed to repeat 8300 times.
The quantity of water needed for this would be 22 billion cubic metres, or the same amount
as BC’s 17,000 glaciers permanently lose each year.

(Castle Creek Glacier)

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In addition to being one of the most significant freshwater resources in western Canada,
glaciers are also delicate climatic indicators. We are able to determine how many glaciers
there are in BC and Alberta as well as their overall area thanks to this effort. A UNBC
geography professor named Brian Menounos is in charge of the study programme. “Even
more importantly, we are able to assess- for the first time- how quickly these glaciers are
melting in the current climate,” Menounos explains. In order to forecast the fate of glaciers
up to 150 years from now, experts from the federal government, universities in Alberta,
British Columbia, and Washington State, as well as researchers from these institutions, are
involved in this study that intends to record recent glacier retreat and present glacier health.
The study team is concentrating on a number of BC icefields and glaciers. The glaciers in the
Columbia River Basin, the Klinaklini and Tiedemann glaciers in the Coast Mountains, the
Lloyd George Icefield west of Fort Nelson, and Castle Creek Glacier close to McBride are all
on the list. In order to get a better understanding of the factors influencing glacier nutrition
and melt, meteorological observations are being taken at each station, including air
temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and humidity. Additionally, the researchers are
tracking variations in the volume, thickness, movement, and extent of hundreds of glaciers
spread across western Canada’s mountain ranges. Analysing hundreds of aerial photos- some
dating back 70 years- is necessary for this job. Matt Beedle, a doctorate candidate at UNBC,
conducted extensive fieldwork to evaluate variations in the volume of Castle Creek Glacier
during a recent visit. A pole he had driven into the ice barely a month before, with only a few
millimetres visible at the top, was now exposed almost to his full height. Beedle confirmed
that the thickness of the glacier at that location had decreased by more than 1.5 metres just in
August by using GPS technology, which can measure his height on the glacier to within one
centimetre.

(Terrain-based study site map (from Google).)

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(Research sites shown on a map devoid of landscape.)

However, there are additional reasons why the Castle Creek Glacier is an important study
site. The glacier has been melting, leaving behind a pattern of soil and rock called moraines
that show exactly how much the glacier has receded yearly. They provide a unique geological
record of this glacier's retreat over the previous 50 years, extending down the valley 750
metres from the glacier's present margin, much like tree rings do. Speaking from experience
working on glaciers in Alaska, Beedle adds, "We've never seen moraines like this outside of
Iceland." We are able to see even minute yearly changes in glacier retreat because to these
moraines. What a world-class find.

(This picture shows a close-up of the moraines that the retreating Castle Creek Glacier
left behind.)

The five-year project is almost halfway completed by the research team. They will be able to
forecast the pace and extent of glacier retreat under several climatic scenarios by 2010. In the
near future, these findings will have a direct impact on how we manage our freshwater
supplies, use power, and even manage our water resources.
The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences is providing roughly $2.2
million for the research, with additional funding coming from institutions, network partners

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including BC Hydro and the Columbia Basin Trust, and individual donors. The federal and
provincial governments, Natural Resources Canada, the Columbia Basin Trust, the University
of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, Victoria,
and Washington, are among the other cooperating institutions.
Glacier Information (2005)
Regarding glaciers, BC has roughly 17,000, whereas Alberta has about 800.
Three percent of BC is covered in glaciers.
In British Columbia, the yearly water loss due to glacier melting occurred between 1985
and 1999 and was 22 cubic kilometres.
Almost 90% of BC's energy comes from hydroelectric power, with ice and snowmelt
playing a major part.
With an extent of 470 square kilometres, the Klinaklini Glacier is the biggest glacier in all
of British Columbia.

OBSERVATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

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It has been observed that Over the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in
the melting rates of glaciers in British Columbia, particularly in the Canadian Rockies and
Interior Ranges. Studies indicate that the mass loss from glaciers in western Canada has
quadrupled since the mid-2000s. Projections even suggest that up to 90% of the current
glacier mass in the Canadian Rockies and Interior Ranges may disappear by the end of the
century. This alarming rate of glacier loss poses a threat to regional water resources and
ecosystems. This is happening primarily because of rise in average temperatures in the
region. Warmer temperatures contribute to increased glacial melting, affecting the overall
mass balance of glaciers in British Columbia. Green house gas emissions also affect the
melting of glaciers as the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane,
contributes to the warming of the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse effect intensifies
the melting of glaciers in the region. Various technologies were used for monitoring the
melting of glaciers which include in situ observations, satellite technology for surface
elevation measurements, and data from the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment
(GRACE). These technologies provide valuable insights into glacier mass changes and their
implications. Field surveys indicate a reduction in ice thickness across various glaciers. This
reduction is indicative of the imbalance between ice accumulation (from snowfall) and ice
loss (melting and calving). The consequences of glacier melting are global, affecting both
nature and human populations. The melting of glaciers leads to rising sea levels, impacting
coastal areas globally. The accelerated melting has led to the formation and expansion of
glacial lakes. These lakes pose additional environmental risks, including the potential for
glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can have severe consequences downstream. The
consequence further include altered water flow. Glacier meltwater contributes significantly to
the region's freshwater supply. Observations show alterations in the timing and volume of
water flow in rivers fed by glaciers, impacting ecosystems and water availability for both
human and natural systems. To address these issues, proactive measures are essential,
Therefore we must Implement and advocate for policies that reduce greenhouse gas
emissions at local, national, and international levels. Supporting renewable energy sources
and sustainable practices is crucial. We must Develop and implement adaptive strategies for
communities dependent on glacial meltwater. This includes efficient water management
practices and infrastructure that can withstand changes in water availability. We suggest to
Increase public awareness about the impacts of glacier melting and the role individuals can
play in mitigating climate change. Education is key to fostering a sense of responsibility and
promoting sustainable practices. To address and solve the issue at a global level we must

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Engage in collaborative efforts with neighboring regions and countries to address the
transboundary nature of glacier melting. This includes sharing data, research, and
implementing joint initiatives to tackle climate change collectively.

CONCLUSION

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In conclusion, the plight of Canadian glaciers stands as a poignant testament to the pervasive
impacts of global warming on our planet's cryospheric systems. The accelerating retreat of
these ice masses, mirroring a worldwide trend, is undeniably linked to the inexorable rise in
temperatures. As the mercury climbs, the once pristine expanses of ice are succumbing to
increased melting rates and diminished ice accumulation, inexorably contributing to the
diminishment of these majestic formations.

The consequences of this glacial meltdown are far-reaching and profound, extending beyond
the frozen landscapes themselves. The resulting influx of meltwater into the world's oceans
becomes a harbinger of rising sea levels, posing a threat to coastal communities and
ecosystems. The delicate balance of water availability in downstream areas is disrupted, and
the ecosystems intricately dependent on glacial meltwater face irrevocable transformations.

The global ramifications are evident, with the meltwater from Canadian glaciers becoming a
contributing factor to the relentless rise in sea levels. Coastal regions, already grappling with
the perils of climate change, find themselves increasingly vulnerable to the dual onslaught of
storm surges and saltwater intrusion, amplifying the challenges faced by communities
dwelling in these sensitive zones.

Beyond the immediate coastal impacts, the hydrological repercussions of glacier melt are
profound. Canadian glaciers play a pivotal role in sustaining rivers and freshwater resources,
shaping the hydrological patterns that define ecosystems and human societies alike. Shifts in
the timing and magnitude of glacial melt introduce an element of unpredictability, potentially
heralding water shortages or excessive runoff in regions downstream.

The retreat of glaciers, with its visible and measurable dimensions, emerges as a poignant
indicator of the broader transformations unfolding within our climate system. Monitoring
these changes not only serves as a sentinel for the encroaching impacts of global warming but
also provides invaluable insights into the interconnected web of environmental, social, and
climatic factors at play.

In this ever-evolving narrative, it is crucial to emphasize the imperative of ongoing research

and vigilant monitoring. Only through a comprehensive understanding of the current state of
Canadian glaciers can we hope to unravel the intricate tapestry of implications for the

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environment, communities, and the global climate. The fragility of these frozen landscapes
beckons us to a collective responsibility, urging concerted efforts to mitigate climate change
and safeguard the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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https://www2.unbc.ca/releases/climate-change-and-bcs-glaciers

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