In 2025, the United Nations earmarked as “The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.” However, a climate researcher in northern British Columbia has revealed that last year marked the second-highest glacier loss in western Canada on record. Brian Menounos, an earth sciences professor at the University of Northern British Columbia and chief scientist at the Airborne Coastal Observatory of the Hakai Institute, emphasized the rapid disappearance of glaciers, surpassing previous projections.
Menounos estimated that approximately 30 gigatonnes of glacial ice vanished in the region last year, equivalent to the entirety of B.C.’s Okanagan Lake. He attributed this alarming trend primarily to warmer temperatures driven by escalating greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel usage. Collaborating with international researchers, Menounos employed satellite and aircraft observations, alongside on-the-ice sampling, to monitor global glacial health.
Their recent peer-reviewed study reported unprecedented ice loss in Western Canada, the Conterminous U.S., and Switzerland from 2021 to 2024. Menounos stressed the acceleration of glacier melt due to warmer conditions and reduced late summer snow cover, altering the reflective properties of glacier surfaces and intensifying the melting process. Mark Ednie, a glaciologist with the Geological Survey of Canada, highlighted the universal trend of shrinking glaciers and emphasized the significant environmental and economic repercussions of glacial ice loss.
The melting of glaciers in British Columbia, which hosts around 17,000 glaciers, affects river levels crucial for fish populations and hydroelectric power generation. Both federal and provincial governments have pledged to combat climate change, with B.C.’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship collaborating with researchers to address the impact of climate change on the region. The federal government’s Climate Action Plan aims to balance emissions reduction with economic growth.
Despite government efforts to mitigate climate change, recent collaborations to develop new fossil fuel infrastructure, such as expanding LNG facilities and potential pipeline projects, have raised concerns. Researchers like Menounos emphasize the dilemma between economic interests and environmental conservation, highlighting the costly impacts of fossil fuel reliance.
In conclusion, the rapid loss of glaciers in western Canada poses a significant threat, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable environmental policies to preserve these vital natural resources.