Date: 29 July 2021

To: Union of Concerned Scientists

From: Allison Howell
Subject: Glacial Melting Associated With Recent Wildfires
Distribution List: USC, Climate Scientists Department

Currently, 10% of land on the Earth is covered by glacial ice, which consists of ice caps,
glaciers, and the ice sheets Greenland and Antarctica, and it is important to understand that
glaciers store about 69% of the world’s freshwater (NSIDC). If all of the ice on land were to melt,
the sea level would rise roughly 230 feet worldwide (NSIDC). Climate scientists have been
researching glaciers for several years and are able to find evidence of previous ice ages, and
they can also discover clues pertaining to climate change. We know glacial loss is a large topic
within the global warming sector, in addition to forest fires. I will be discussing the problem in
depth and the steps to be taken in order to prevent wildfires, which in return help prevent global
warming. This information that has been gathered will help aid you in establishing better
practices around your department.

Summary
Ash from forest fires (wildfires) can deposit onto glaciers, and affect their albedo (reflectivity),
which results in darkening of the snow and absorbing more sunlight, which then results in
melting. We also know that the proximity of the glacier to the wildfire significantly influences the
impact of ash deposited on snow surfaces the following year (Columbia University). We are
looking to prevent wildfires in high-risk areas in hopes to diminish the impacts on the glaciers
around the world.

Increased Wildfires and Glacial Impact

It is fair to say that climate change is making conditions more favorable for wildfires. Wildfires
favor conditions that consist of hotter temperatures, deeper droughts and drier vegetation
(CFR). Climate scientists are stating that climate change is responsible for the increase in
wildfires. California, which has had 4.7 million acres of land burned through wildfires thus far,
has been experiencing record breaking temperatures (CFR). If we take a step back and
evaluate climate change as a whole, decreasing our carbon footprints and the human activity
that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, would be the key way to slow climate change
down. On the other hand, it is important to note that 84% of wildfires in the United States are
started by human ignition (Science Mag), and the favorable climate conditions carry it out. A
study done by a fire ecologist revealed that man-made wildfires tend to be the most violent as
well (Hanston).

Conclusion
Climate change is happening no matter what we do, and human activity is the main culprit.
Establishing that soot from wildfires can migrate to areas where glaciers, ice caps and ice
sheets remain reveals how impactful we are, even from the other side of the world. Currently,
69% of the Earth’s freshwater originates from these glaciers, ice sheets and ice caps, and
climate change is risking it all. The most important fact about these glaciers is their albedo and
reflectivity, and how they remain ice because of it. Maintaining a strong ability to reflect sunlight
is what protects us from sea levels rising worldwide, and having fresh drinking water, among
other things. The change in conditions that have been inflicted secondary to climate change,
such as increased temperatures, drier vegetation and deeper droughts, have been very
favorable for wildfires. It is important to note that 84% of wildfires in the United States are
started by human ignition, and this means that many, many wildfires and disasters that occured
secondary to them could have been prevented. In order to protect our atmosphere, our fresh
drinking water, our sea levels, and most importantly, our lives, we must prevent wildfires, and
decrease our carbon footprint to slow down the increasingly favorable climate conditions.

Recommendations
In order to make the world a better place for the future generations to come, we must take
action now. The key to prevention is resilience. First and foremost, decreasing your carbon
footprint by opting for more environmentally friendly options. It is possible for organizations to
come together to prevent further damage through wildfires. Specifically, climate scientists, and
those who are studying the impacts of wildfires, can begin to promote specific actions.
Communities, forestry managers, builders and homeowners are the most impactful when it
comes to this (C2ES). Discouraging developments through city planning and zone management
is how we can prevent not only human ignited fires, but also prevent loss of life, and property
due to fires. In addition, incorporating fire resistant materials and design features into buildings
(C2ES). One of the absolute best ways to prevent glacier loss due to inevitable wildfires is
having a plan. It is up to those who understand what is at risk to develop a strategic plan that
can lessen the duration of a wildfire. Developing recovery plans prior to a fire taking place, and
implementing plans after a fire as quickly as possible to reduce erosion, limit flooding, and
minimize habitat damage (C2ES).
- Build a team within your department that is specifically in charge of approving
construction and development plans around campus.
- Every department within the Earth Sciences Division must come up with recovery plans Formatted: List Paragraph, Bulleted + Level: 1 +
in the case of a local natural disaster, such as a fire, to reduce erosion, limit flooding and Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5"
minimize habitat damage.
Date: 29 July 2021
To: Union of Concerned Scientists
From: Allison Howell
Subject: Glacial Melting Associated With Recent Wildfires
Distribution List: USC, Climate Scientists Department

Sources
https://www.c2es.org/content/wildfires-and-climate-change/
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/human-sparked-wildfires-are-more-destructive-
those-caused-nature
https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/us-wildfires-california-oregon-climate-change-worse
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2020/10/21/forest-fires-impact-glaciers/
https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/glaciers/questions/climate.html