In this section, we analyze glacier changes during the historical period (the last four decades) and projected future changes in the glacierized area, glacier mass balance, and meltwater runoff from glaciers in the Rockies.
The diagrams illustrate the B.C. and Alberta-wide changes in glacier area for the 20 year period (1985 to 2005), subdivided into major glacier-climate zones.
The southern, central, and northern Rockies in these plots include both eastern and western slopes. These regions experienced a loss in ice cover of about 15% from 1985 to 2005. When Alberta glaciers are isolated, one sees a 25% decrease in glacier area over this period, from 1,053 km2 to 786 km2.
All regions in B.C. and Alberta are experiencing glacier loss. The greatest total losses occurred in the most heavily glaciated regions, as one would expect.
The eastern slopes of the Rockies experienced disproportionately heavy losses: 25% of the total glaciated area (vs. 11% for B.C). The reason for this contrast is not well-understood, but probably arises from two main factors:
The average glacier size in Alberta (2005) is 1.14 km2. By contrast, the average glacier size in B.C. (2005) is approximately 2.11 km2. Small glaciers are known to be more sensitive to climate warming, due to a variety of the positive feedbacks associated with sustained negative mass balance (loss of the firn layer, darkening of the glacier surface, increased sensible heat flux to the glacier from the surrounding, freshly-deglaciated rock).
Because glaciated area is an important aspect of glacier contributions to streamflow, this rapid loss of glacier ice is evident in reduced late-summer streamflows in Alberta’s rivers.
Glaciers are losing mass, supplementing streamflow, but they are playing a diminishing role in water resources in Alberta.
Glacier mass balance data has been gathered from approximately 310 glaciers worldwide over the past several decades, although only a subset of sites has longterm data. This data is archived through the World Glacier Monitoring Service. The observations document worldwide glacier retreat in recent decades, similar to what is observed in the Rockies.
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Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.
Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.
Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market. With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry.
Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector.
He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field.
Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.