Key Takeaways
- Glaciers in Western Canada are shrinking at an alarming rate, with an estimated 30 gigatonnes of mass lost in 2025.
- The loss of glaciers is contributing to droughts and threatening fresh water supply in communities across the region.
- Glaciers are a critical water resource for nearly two billion people around the globe, and their loss could have devastating consequences.
- Climate change is accelerating the loss of glaciers, with the warmer temperatures and increased wildfires causing the ice to melt faster.
- The Canadian government’s priorities seem to be at odds with the need to slow global warming, with a focus on resource extraction and the elimination of environmental measures such as carbon taxes.
Introduction to the Problem
The problem of glacier shrinkage is a pressing concern, with tens of thousands of years of ice melting in a matter of a few years. Brian Menounos, a professor of earth sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia, has been studying the issue and is increasingly urgent about the need for action. The United Nations declared 2025 the "international year of glaciers preservation," but the reality is that glaciers are disappearing at an alarming rate. In fact, 2025 was the second-worst year on record for glacier shrinkage, with an estimated 30 gigatonnes of mass lost.
The Impact of Glacier Shrinkage
The warnings from Menounos and other scientists are not abstract, but are having real-world consequences. For example, in August, more than 60 hikers and climbers were rescued by helicopter from Bugaboo Provincial Park after a glacial ice dam gave way, unleashing a flash flood that destroyed their only path out of the mountains. This incident highlights the danger of glacier shrinkage, which can lead to sudden and unpredictable events. Furthermore, the loss of glaciers is also contributing to droughts, which are threatening fresh water supply in communities from Merritt, B.C. to Cowley, Alta. When glaciers melt faster than they are replenished, the hydrologic cycles that reliably replenish fresh water supplies are disrupted.
The Importance of Glaciers
Glaciers are a critical water resource for nearly two billion people around the globe, and their loss could have devastating consequences. Menounos describes glaciers as "Mother Nature’s natural reservoirs," which release cool, plentiful water when it’s needed. In Western Canada, glaciers have been the saviours of some watersheds, replenishing water supply when the seasonal snowpack is gone. The ice cores from mountain glaciers in Western Canada also preserve data of the Earth’s atmosphere going back hundreds of years, which can help forecast the future in the region where millions live.
The Feedback Loop of Climate Change
The coming year is proving to be a tough one for progress on climate action, with the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president introducing a threat to Canada’s sovereignty. The federal and provincial governments have raced to develop the Canadian economy away from exports to the United States, which has meant a focus on resource extraction, including oil and gas. Environmental measures such as federal and provincial carbon taxes have been eliminated, and the launch of the province’s LNG industry has marked a significant shift in priorities. However, these developments do not change the weather, and they demonstrate a set of priorities that don’t fit with what climate scientists say is needed to slow global warming. The warmer temperatures and increased wildfires are causing the ice to melt faster, creating a feedback loop that is accelerating the loss of glaciers.
The Need for Action
The need for action on climate change is urgent, and the loss of glaciers is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. The Canadian government’s priorities seem to be at odds with the need to slow global warming, and it is essential that they take a more proactive approach to addressing the issue. This includes implementing environmental measures such as carbon taxes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and investing in renewable energy sources. By taking action on climate change, we can help preserve glaciers and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. The clock is ticking, and it is essential that we take immediate action to address the problem of glacier shrinkage and mitigate the effects of climate change.
