Savor the Cryosphere

Abstract

This article provides concise documentation of the ongoing retreat of glaciers, along with the implications that the ice loss presents, as well as suggestions for geoscience educators to better convey this story to both students and citizens. We present the retreat of glaciers-the loss of ice-as emblematic of the recent, rapid contraction of the cryosphere. Satellites are useful for assessing the loss of ice across regions with the passage of time. Ground-based glaciology, particularly through the study of ice cores, can record the history of environmental conditions present during the existence of a glacier. Repeat photography vividly displays the rapid retreat of glaciers that is characteristic across the planet. This loss of ice has implications to rising sea level, greater susceptibility to dryness in places where people rely upon rivers delivering melt water resources, and to the destruction of natural environmental archives that were held within the ice. Warming of the atmosphere due to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases released by the combustion of fossil fuels is causing this retreat. We highlight multimedia productions that are useful for teaching this story effectively. As geoscience educators, we attempt to present the best scholarship as accurately and eloquently as we can, to address the core challenge of conveying the magnitude of anthropogenic impacts, while also encouraging optimistic determination on the part of students, coupled to an increasingly informed citizenry. We assert that understanding human perturbation of nature, then choosing to engage in thoughtful science-based decision-making, is a wise choice. This topic comprised "Savor the

Clean Low-Biomass Procedures and Their Application to Ancient Ice Core Microorganisms

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Witnessing glaciers melt: climate change and transmedia storytelling

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Effect of geotextile cover on snow and ice melt on Triangular Glacier, the north-eastern Antarctic Peninsula

“…The rapid mass loss from glaciers has serious environmental consequences for the global sea-level and climate system (Hock et al 2017). The ice loss also affects river systems, which represent the essential habitat for a variety of species and the resource of water for hydroelectric production, irrigation, and municipal water supplies (Burkhart et al 2017). Finally, glaciers have aesthetic, cultural, and recreational value for local inhabitants and tourists (Orlove et al 2008).…”