Research Reveals: Most Western Canada’s Glaciers Face Imminent Disappearance

Recent studies show that Western Canada’s glaciers are facing severe melting due to climate change. Research indicates that even if global warming stops today, around 75% of the glacier ice in southern British Columbia (B.C.) will still be lost. If temperatures rise by just 1.5 degrees Celsius, we may see 81% of glacier mass disappear. By 2100, with a rise of 2.7 degrees, the loss could reach a staggering 98%.

Harry Zekollari, a glaciologist and lead author of the research, explained that they used advanced computer models to study glacier behavior. Their findings are alarming; the planet has already set in motion a loss of about 40% of its glaciers by end of the century. “The committed loss is almost 80%,” Zekollari noted. He emphasized that many glaciers in this region are likely to vanish, regardless of any future warming.

The situation is particularly critical in Canada’s southern Arctic, where glacial loss is expected to be extreme. Zekollari doesn’t mince words; he calls these glaciers “relics of the past.”

Lilian Schuster, another co-author of the study from Universität Innsbruck, pointed out a slim chance to preserve a portion of glacier ice. If we implement ambitious climate goals, a small fraction of it could survive. Still, even halting warming now wouldn’t stop the eventual loss of three-quarters of glacier mass.

Glaciers play a crucial role in supporting around two million people worldwide who rely on their runoff for agriculture, drinking water, and sanitation. Canada has vast areas covered with glacier ice—over 200,000 square kilometers—but between 1985 and 2020, more than 1,100 glaciers in B.C. and Alberta vanished, and the pace is increasing.

As glaciers melt, they can destabilize landscapes, leading to landslides and floods. A notable example from 2020 involved a massive outburst flood triggered by a landslide, emphasizing the urgent threats posed by melting glaciers. Brian Menounos, a glaciologist from the University of Northern British Columbia, supports these findings and warns that the future of glaciers in Western Canada looks bleak.

“At 2.7 degrees, there won’t be much ice left,” he cautioned, adding that many small glaciers are in poor condition. Southern B.C. experiences rapid glacier loss, and issues like wildfire smoke are likely exacerbating the situation. Menounos noted that precipitation patterns are shifting; more rain is falling in the mountains instead of snow.

The melting glaciers not only impact the environment but also pose risks to B.C.’s economy. These glaciers help keep rivers cool, which is critical for biodiversity and hydropower generation. About 90% of B.C.’s electricity comes from hydropower, with glaciers contributing up to 20% to annual flow in some areas.

BC Hydro, the province’s utility, is adjusting to these changes. The utility has worked for years to understand how glacial melt affects its water supply. Currently, melting glaciers contribute roughly 3% of the water used to generate electricity.

As Doug Washer, CEO of Head-Line Mountain Holidays, explains, ice is central to B.C.’s tourism economy. However, the glaciers are rapidly deteriorating. “They’re turning into chunks of Swiss cheese,” he said, highlighting a worrying trend for tourism based on glacier landscapes.

The repercussions of glacier loss extend beyond tourism and hydropower. As ecosystems change, fisheries and other natural resources will also be impacted. Menounos suggests we must prepare for a future without these important ice reserves. “It’s time to start thinking about how to adapt,” he advises.

In places like Switzerland, some innovative strategies include using tarps to protect glaciers from the sun or damming mountain lakes to preserve alpine moisture. Discussions on such measures could be beneficial for vulnerable areas in B.C. As anyone familiar with the region knows, proper planning and local wisdom, especially from First Nations, are essential.

The melting of B.C.’s glaciers is not merely an environmental issue; it raises questions about the future of energy, tourism, and natural ecosystems. As glaciers shrink, we must face the changing landscape and adapt accordingly.

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