Save the Glacier........

by Partha Pratim Bose
(Kolkata, West Bengal, India)

One of the most breath-taking examples of the effects of global warming is the way our glaciers are getting extinct.

Along with glaciers we not only are going to see glaciers only in pictures (like this one) but we will miss all water creatures and polar bears and other animals......who are able to survive only because of this

Extreme climatic condition

Barry's Response - A stunning photograph you have provided, Partha, and some important comments, too. You have every right to be concerned. See more at this page.

Why worry 'bout a bunch of glaciers? They supply fresh water for many people (and plants & animals) of the world. There has been consistent glacier retreat around the world, with greater amounts in mountains in middle latitudes. These include mountains in Asia, USA, Europe and South America. And one mountain in Africa.

When a time period of several decades is tracked, that's how long it took for the differences to become really noticeable. Researchers like to go back to the mid-19th century, as that's when data gathering techniques just started to become quite reliable (and have continued to improve since then). It coincidentally marks the end generally accepted end of the
little ice age (1550 to 1850), when these ice rivers built up substantially and gave us a good starting point for comparison. Most of the retreat has occurred since the mid-1980's.

There's something majestic about glaciers, and their retreat is fascinating. Are melting glaciers really the end of the world, or just a natural cycle? Glaciers have advanced and retreated throughout history.

Glaciers have grown and shrunk for thousands, no, millions of years. The Little Ice Age (1550-1850) had a lot of glacial expansion, but it was colder than average. We've experienced a rebalancing since then. Glaciers were much smaller during the Medieval Warm Period (900-1300 AD). Then civilization flourished.

What's behind melting? CO2 or sun? Glacier retreat is blamed on human-produced CO2, but solar activity plays a bigger role. The Sun controls Earth's climate. Even a small increase or decrease in solar output can affect global temperatures. Solar cycles, ocean currents, and long-term changes in Earth's orbit (Milankovitch Cycles) are often downplayed as climate drivers.

Does this mean human activity doesn't matter? The media cries "climate catastrophe!" every time a glacier calve, conveniently forgetting that glaciers have been calving for ages. That's how they stay balanced.

Do we really have a water crisis?

One of the biggest claims is freshwater shortages. What's the source of most of our fresh water? The glaciers. Most of it comes from rain, lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers. There are a lot of communities that rely on the water released by melting glaciers. The real challenge is water management, not melting.

While polar ice is melting, Antarctic sea ice has increased at times, and some glaciers in Greenland and the Himalayas have grown. Melting isn't everything.

What's up with the polar bears? Are you aware that polar bear populations have been increasing in many regions despite climate alarmism? In the 1960s, there were about 5,000 polar bears. They're estimated to be between 25,000 and 30,000. There have been much warmer periods in history.

Who profits from climate alarmism and What's with all the government regulation, taxation, and control over industry and personal choices? Governments and corporations are making billions off climate fear. Green energy subsidies and carbon credits keep the panic alive.

The rationale

It's important to approach climate science with an open mind, robust debate, and - most importantly - freedom of thought. Before industrialization, Earth's climate changed a lot. Let's be responsible stewards of our environment, but don't be pressured into extreme policies.

Look at historical records, satellite data, and temperature reconstructions from different sources if you're really interested in glaciers. There's nothing more fascinating than the truth.

The glaciers will keep retreating and advancing. It's not about saving glaciers, it's about panicking about natural climate changes. Like the great Arctic skies, let's keep our minds open.

How do you feel about it? Do you disagree? Let's debate! Feel free to comment below.

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