Glaciers and Climate Change

Robert Melnick, professor of landscape architecture at the University of Oregon and author of the article, “Climate Change and Landscape Preservation: A Twenty-first-century Conundrum", discusses topics addressed in the article.

Grand Canyon NP: Park ranger Peg Bohan discusses how climate change is impacting the park and what measures are being taken to reduce the park’s carbon footprint.

Glacier National Park: This audio file discusses Jackson Glacier as well as other glaciers in Glacier National Park. It is suggested that evidence for climate change can be seen with the melting of the glaciers in the park.

Glacier National Park: The value of research on glaciers is discussed by a USGS research ecologist. Emphasis is placed on how the melting of glaciers affects ecosystems and serves as an indicator for climate change.

Kenai Fjords National Park: Pictures of the glaciers at Kenai Fjords are compared in sequence. For instance, a picture of McCarty Glacier from 1909 precedes a picture of the same glacier in 2004. The video displays how the glaciers have receded over a century.

Kenai Fjords National Park: Experts track and discuss the rate at which Exit Glacier has receded over time. Methods of tracking the rate at which the glacier is receding are discussed as well as potential reasons the glacier is receding.

Kenai Fjords National Park: The video discusses how glaciers in Kenai Fjords serve as markers for climate change. It is discussed that the glaciers are indeed receding rapidly and what the park is doing to inform the public about the issue.

Denali NP & PRES: In Denali, scientists are monitoring climate change closely and cautiously discussing how park management may need to change in the future based on current trends.

Natural Laboratory: Due to higher carbon dioxide output, the oceans have become increasingly acidic. How is this acidity affecting marine organisms with shells? Tune in to find out.

Natural Laboratory: This audio file discusses how climate change is affecting birds and other species of animals and plants in California.