In this next set of articles we will explore the process of glacier retreat. On a simple level, the problem is that temperatures increase, and thus the ice sheets shrink. However, this problem is becoming more and more widespread. And its effects are far from simple and are current at the heart of a whirlwind of controversy.

In Canada, glacier retreat is a very real problem. The Canadian Arctic Islands are home to the third largest mass of glacial ice in the world after Greenland and Antarctica. There are many major ice sheets, especially on the northern island: Baffin Island. Glacial dynamics in Canada?s north was relatively stable from the mid-1900s to 2000. However, recently there have been massive glacial retreats. Canada?s ice sheets have lost up to 92 Gt per year from 2007. This number is almost 5 times the stable values before year 2000. On another major island in the Canadian North, Ellesmere Island, the Simmon Ice Cap has lost 47% of its mass since 1950s. It is projected that many glaciers in Northern Canada will disappear by 2050 if the current rate of loss is continued. North of Ellesmere Island lies Ward Hunt Island, home to permeant glaciers, 90% of which have been melted in the last century.Glaciers are interesting as they can be interpreted as indicators of climate change. The fact that they melt makes us realize that the earth is warming. The fact they are melting at rates not observed by humanity signals that this melt is caused by something very potent. What is more potent on this earth than the human? 

Melting glaciers are interesting because they are indicators of the problem, but also the effects of the problem. They indicate global warming and are at the same time one of the drastic negative effects of it. It shows that if we do not heed the warning of the glaciers, they will strike back?In the next article we will investigate the effects that glacial retreat has on the ocean levels. 

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