Darkening Peaks: Glacier Retreat, Science, and Society
Looking up at mountains, people now see bare, dark rock where white snow and ice once stood—dramatic evidence of the accelerating pace of glacier retreat due to climate change. This groundbreaking work is the first to provide an integrated, multidisciplinary, global exploration of the scientific, social, and economic dimensions of this phenomenon. Bringing together contributors from five continents, Darkening Peaks discusses the ways that scientists have observed and modeled glaciers, tells...
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"Retreat of mountain glaciers ranks alongside sea level rise and extermination of species as one of the greatest threats posed by continued global warming. The authoritative picture painted in Darkening Peaks should help bring humanity to its senses and to spur the actions needed."—James E. Hansen, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies"This important and timely book elucidates how glacier retreat is affecting physical, biological, and human systems simultaneously. The authors' perspectives from mountain regions worldwide provide key insights at both global and local scales."—Cynthia Rosenzweig, Earth Institute, Columbia University"From an impressive range of disciplinary perspectives and geographic locations, Darkening Peaks provides a refreshing look at the real complexities involved with the causes and consequences of environmental change."—Roger A. Pielke, Jr., author of The Honest Broker: Making Sense of Science in Policy and Politics"Glaciers play a major role in teaching us about our planet's past, and in warning us about its future. They inspire fear, awe, and fascination. Whatever your interest in glaciers, you will find this rich, broadly ranging volume exciting."—Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse"Darkening Peaks is a dazzling fusion of hard science, historical narrative, and cultural context that outlines social responses for coping with our changing environment."—Stephen H. Schneider, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change"Combining the latest research results from the social and natural sciences, Darkening Peaks succeeds in giving a timely and detailed account of the cultural perceptions, scientific observations, trends, impacts, and responses associated with glacial retreat. Highly recommended."—John Schellnhuber CBE, Chief Science Advisor to the German government and Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Overview: Glaciers in Science and SocietyThe Place of Glaciers in Natural and Cultural Landscapes Ben Orlove Ellen Wiegandt Brian H. Luckman 3Societal Perceptions: Cultures and InstitutionsChanging Views of Changing Glaciers Wilfried Haeberli 23Challenges of Living with Glaciers in the Swiss Alps, Past and Present Ellen Wiegandt Ralph Lugon 33Environment, History, and Culture as Influences on Perceptions of Glacier Dynamics: The Case of Mt. Shasta Barbara Wolf Ben Orlove 49Glacial Hazards: Perceiving and Responding to Threats in Four World Regions Christian Huggel Wilfried Haeberli Andreas Kaab 68Scientific Observations: Measurement, Monitoring, and ModelingTwo Alpine Glaciers over the Past Two Centuries: A Scientific View Based on Pictorial Sources Daniel Steiner Heinz J. Zumbuhl Andreas Bauder 83Long-Term Observations of Glaciers in Norway Liss M. Andreassen Hallgeir Elvehoy Bjarne Kjollmoen Miriam Jackson Rune Engeset 100Alpinewide Distributed Glacier Mass Balance Modeling: A Tool for Assessing Future Glacier Change? Frank Paul Horst Machguth Martin Hoelzle NadineSalzmann Wilfried Haeberli 111Modeling Climate-Change Impacts on Mountain Glaciers and Water Resources in the Central Dry Andes Javier G. Corripio Ross S. Purves Andres Rivera 126Trends in Natural Landscapes: Climate ChangeGlacier Mass Balance in the Northern U.S. and Canadian Rockies: Paleo-Perspectives and Twentieth-Century Change Emma Watson Gregory T. Pederson Brian H. Luckman Daniel B. Fagre 139Glacier Fluctuations in the European Alps, 1850-2000: An Overview and a Spatiotemporal Analysis of Available Data Michael Zemp Frank Paul Martin Hoelzle Wilfried Haeberli 152Tropical Glaciers, Climate Change, and Society: Focus on Kilimanjaro (East Africa) Thomas Molg Douglas R. Hardy Nicolas J. Cullen Georg Kaser 168Impacts on Human Landscapes: Resources, Hazards, and Cultural LandscapesNew Zealand's Glaciers: Key National and Global Assets for Science and Society John E. Hay Tui L. Elliott 185The Impact of Mining on Rock Glaciers and Glaciers: Examples from Central Chile Alexander Brenning 196Glacier Changes and Their Impacts on Mountain Tourism: Two Case Studies from the Italian Alps Claudio Smiraglia Guglielmina Diolaiuti Manuela Pelfini Marco Belo Michele Citterio Teresa Carnielli Carlo D'Agata 206Mama Cotacachi: History, Local Perceptions, and Social Impacts of Climate Change and Glacier Retreat in the Ecuadorian Andes Robert E. Rhoades Xavier Zapata Rios Jenny Aragundy Ochoa 216Responses: Adaptation and AccommodationThe Politics of Place: Inhabiting and Defending Glacier Hazard Zones in Peru's Cordillera Blanca Mark Carey 229Responses to Glacier Retreat in the Context of Development Planning in Nepal Shardul Agrawala 241Glaciers and Efficient Water Use in Central Asia Urs Luterbacher Valerii Kuzmichenok Gulnara Shalpykova Ellen Wiegandt 249Research and Development in Mountain Glaciers: An Overview of Institutions and Organizations Denis Knubel Greg Greenwood Ellen Wiegandt 258Notes 269Index 271
