Scientist calls on increased water conservation efforts

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MANILA — Leading freshwater scientist warned against the implications of the rapidly disappearing glaciers in B.C and Alberta.

A study published by the journal Nature Geoscience predicted that 70 percent of the existing B.C. and Alberta glacial ice will be gone by the end of the century.

David Schindler, a retired University of Alberta ecologist told the Journal that the melting has negative implications for Alberta’s river systems.

This, he added, will further aggravate the rivers which are already under pressure due to the growing population and the changes in climate.

He also said that communities in Calgary will be the first to be affected by the glacial decline. This is following reports that the Bow Glacier feeding the rivers of the city are rapidly melting away.

Meanwhile, the large Saskatchewan Glacier was predicted to be one of the last glaciers to melt away.

Saskatchewan Glacier primarily feeds the North Saskatchewan River flowing through Edmonton.

Because of this, all efforts to conserve water must be accelerated, according to Schindler.

“We are going to have to take some fairly expensive measures like that to eke out an existence on what water we have left,” Schindler said. “In a dry area like Alberta, maybe it’s also time to start thinking about how many people do we really want in Alberta.”

“It’s time people started thinking long term,” he added.

“In Alberta, as a society we have been masterful short-term thinkers … but our grandchildren will not be very happy if we don’t change that.”