Activity 2.2- Cryosphere: Mount Sir Sandford, Columbia-Shuswap, BC, Canada
Mt. Sir Sandford from the Silvertip Glacier. Historic image taken by Howard Palmer, 1910 (7/15/1910), as part of the Mt. Sir Sandford Expedition.
Google maps, 2012 Mt Sir Sandford
Problem
The problem we are facing is the ice melting throughout the years drastically. I am using Mt. Sir Sandford from the Silvertip Glacier as an example to prove that statement. One major factor in this problem is climate change. With the temperature constantly rising, the ice glaciers melt more quickly. With Mt. Sir Sandford, the glacier has melted significantly since 1910. The proof of that is the three photos I provided. The first one is how it looked in 1910. The mountains were full of snow, and you could hardly see the ground. Next is from Google Earth which was taken in 2012. I tried my best to get the same angle, but even from that standpoint, you can see more of the mountain. The last photo was from 2019 the most recent one. In that picture, you actually start seeing grass, trees, and less snow. This problem is not something anyone can deny. It not only affects animals but humans as well. There are plenty more glaciers that are now with less ice or snow.
Explanation
Why is this problem momentous? First off, climate change is a lot worse due to human activities. Just for example, burning fossil fuels constantly has not helped the environment. With that alone, the temperature rises. The ice melting affects wildlife tremendously. The animals who live in colder environments have a better chance of becoming extinct. When it comes to it affecting humans, it is water scarcity and sea level rise. Glaciers are considered a drinking water source for communities. Then when the sea level rises it affects the coastal area. Towns could become underwater at the rate climate change is going. Then other communities may have to start moving or find another way to get clean water. Overall, the impact of this problem of the glaciers melting needs more attention and consideration of solutions to prevent human activity from being the number one cause of climate change being as bad as it is.
References
Google Earth Mt Sir Sandford Silvertip Glacier. (2022, August 10). Google Earth. Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://earth.google.com/web/@51.66868351,-117.86848805,2474.50050086a,6807.34845058d,35y,157.2627595h,60.19360403t,0r
Stn 11 Sir Sandford from Slivertip 1910Glacier. (2022, August 10). Explorer Mountain Legacy Project. Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://explore.mountainlegacy.ca/stations/show/3775
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