Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park, Alberta

Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies. It’s so large that it resides on both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. Athabasca Glacier is one of the glaciers of Columbia Icefield. What is the difference between an icefield and a glacier? Think of an icefield is a palm and glaciers are fingers connecting to the palm.

Because of climate change, Athabasca Glacier is receding at an alarming rate. It is projected that within 100 years, the glacier will disappear entirely. The lakes and rivers that are fed by the glacier will dry soon after that. What will this mean for the plants, animals and people that depend on the glacier water?

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