Another problem that I haven't really mentioned yet is one that is very difficult to quantify in terms of its magnitude: the impacts on tourism and general aesthetics when glaciers retreat.
The Mer de Glace (what's left of it), Mont Blanc, Chamonix. Note the steep sided rock walls of the valley. This shows how deep the glacier was as recently as the Little Ice Age. Source: Family holidays...
How does one value the loss in aesthetic beauty as glaciers retreat, leaving only unsightly tills and moraines? Does this loss equate to fewer people visiting such areas, and hence less tourism with all the associated benefits (and negatives) that come with it?
The ice itself is more attractive than bare rock, especially as it is a novelty for many tourists, or even why they come in the first place (e.g. myself). Fewer people will make the effort to get to such places if there is no glacier to go to see, climb or even ski on.
Family mountaineering - why we went to the area in the first place.
At present, many glaciers worldwide are still significant attractions for sightseers and Alpinists alike. However, with current melting trends set to continue, for how long will we be able to benefit from such natural phenomena?
At present, many glaciers worldwide are still significant attractions for sightseers and Alpinists alike. However, with current melting trends set to continue, for how long will we be able to benefit from such natural phenomena?
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