So @missy and @rambo asked "What signs of global warming are evident where you live?" And i love this topic!
Firstly i have to state that i live in a city called Calgary. It is in Canada very close to the rocky mountains. We are known for our drastic weather changes and long winters. However, in recent years that is not so much the case. Our winters are shorter and our weather is so much more mild.
A few weeks ago @mdt and I took a trip up to jasper. It is one of our fav places. The town is so cute and the hikes are breathtaking. On our way back from Jasper, we stopped to take in the views at the Athabaska Glacier.
The Athabasca Glacier is the largest of six ice sheets that form part of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park. It is the most commonly visited. Over the past 150 years there has been a major recession in the glacier. They say this glacier, the one most of the locals walked on in thier childhood, will most likely be gone within this generation. @mdt told me when he was a kid he could walk just up from the parking lot right onto the toe of the glacier. Nowadays there is a massive river that runs in front of the glacier that feeds quite a substantial lake. The recession has left a giant scar on the landscape. This glacier is shinking at a startling 5 meters a year (that's roughly 16.5ft.) This is not your average glacial melt for sure. Not only is the glacier moving away in size, but decreasing in height.
Ive heard that the glaciers are shrinking, but it really hits home once you see it in person. Climate change is happening whether people want to believe ot not. I know it has definitely given me the kick i needed to start changes. Maybe if everyone starts making little changes, we can get this ball rolling to stop climate change and hopefully save our planet 🌎.
Those red chairs were put up all over canada for Canada's 150th. And way off in the distance is the top of the Athabaska glacier. And @mdt of course.
You can see the scar in this photo. The glacier used to be to the buildings on the far right of this photo 150 years ago.
This is another glacier, the athabaska glacier is on the right.
I think i will post another blog soon, i have so many hiking photos to share!!
Much love,
Lita
