EFFECTS OF GLACIERS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Do glaciers Affect People?

Glaciers give benefit to millions of people. To date, glaciers have been the tourists
attraction, natural resource and drinking water, irrigating crops and generate
hydroelectric power.
1. Tourist attractions in mountainous areas
There are many countries depend on glaciers as the countrys income in tourism.
For example, Perito Moreno Glacier has becoming one of the best Argentina
tourist attractions. Another example is the Glacier Skywalk, Jasper National Park
in Canadian Rockies
2. Natural resource and drinking water.
Secondly, those people living near mountains in arid climates, they depends on
glaciers for their source of freshwater. There are also people depending on
glaciers meltwater during the significant dry season. Our source of freshwater
mainly comes from glaciers and the meltwater of snowcaps, while a small
percentage comes from groundwater and lakes or rivers.
3. Glaciers irrigate crops
Farmers in countries like Switzerland rely on glaciers meltwater to irrigate their
crops. They channel the meltwater from the glaciers to their field. For example,
the irrigation system in Zarabod.
4. Glaciers help generate hydroelectric power
Countries like Switzerland depends on glaciers for their electricity. The Grande
Dixence dam is pictured with the Lac des Dix in Pralong near Sion in southern

Switzerland August 16, 2008. Hydroelectric power accounts for about 58% of
Switzerland's electricity production

Are Glaciers Dangerous?

1. Flooding caused by a glacier
Glaciers might pose problem such as flooding. Extreme melting might cause the
meltwater to overflow the barriers and causes flood. When excessive meltwater
flows across the lakes or stream, it might creates dam and traps a large amount
of water. For example, Big Eddy Road in Soldotna was flooded by Kenai river
caused by outburst of the Skilak Glacier Lake in the year of 2007. In 1986,
Hubbard Glacier in Alaska surged and blocked the outlet of Russell Fjord,
entrapping a large lake. Over the summer, snowmelt continued to fill the lake. In
October, the glacier-created dam gaves way. The fjord reconnected to the ocean,
only after releasing an enormous gush of water equivalent to about 35 Niagara
Falls.
2. Avalanches from glaciers
Ice avalanches have killed a lot of people to date. For example, an avalanche
buries 100 soldiers
in Siachen and an avalanche killed 88 workers of the dam construction in 1965 at
Switzerland.
3. The threat of icebergs
Icebergs that have broken off from glaciers pose great danger to ships and
shipping routes.

Whats Happening Now?

Glaciers all over the world have been melting for at least the last 50 years, and
the
rate of melting is speeding up. Many glaciers in Alaska and other parts of the
United
States have shrunk dramatically.
What will happen in the future?
If temperatures keep rising, glaciers will continue melting, and some could
disappear completely.

Why does it matter?

As glaciers and the giant ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica melt, they add
more water into the ocean, which causes sea level to rise.
There are many disastrous events that could happen due to the rise of sea level.
1. Coast could be flooded
The people living in low-lying area near the coast could be flooded or sink as the
sea level rises. For example, Maldives might sink if the sea level rises a few
meters. Home and business might be damaged.
2. Beaches could be eroded
Certain beaches and islands could be wiped out due to sea level rise.
3. Coastal wetlands could be damaged

Wetlands protect the shore and serve as important habitats for many animals and
plants. Sea level rise could damage the wetlands close to the sea and this
damages the ecosystem.
4. Stronger storms
Sea level rise could also cause stronger storms.
Precautions
1. Coastal Cities and Islands
They should prepare by protecting or restoring natural shoreline buffers like sand
dunes and wetlands, improving storm drainage systems, and building protective
barriers where necessary.

2. Coastal Wetlands
The coastal wetlands should be protected by not disturbing the land, the flow of
water, or plants in these areas.
General Precautions
We should try not to contribute to global warming. If you must carry on with
activities contributing to global warming (e.g. driving), make the impact less. We
should walk more and practice carpool. Goverment should also consider solar
energy than electrical energy. Not only that, we should reduce the use of coolant
such as air-conditioner or refrigerator.
Conclusion
Glaciers bring a lot of benefits to human beings. However, it also poses threats
such as avalanches, floods and icebergs. Nonetheless, the threats are due to

human activities contributing to global warming, which results in hotter

environment leading to the fast melting of the glaciers. Steps and precautions
should be taken so that the benefits of glaciers could be experienced by us and
the dangers of glaciers could be minimized.