Iceland Marks First ‘Dead’ Glacier

In a somber reflection of the escalating impacts of global warming, Iceland has just witnessed the loss of one of its iconic glaciers, Okjokull, also known as Ok glacier. Scientists have declared it the first glacier in the country, and sadly, the world, to lose its status due to climate change.

The once massive glacier, which covered 16 square kilometers (6.2 square miles) in 1890, has now been reduced to a mere 0.7 square kilometers (0.27 square miles), an alarming decline that prompted researchers to strip it of its glacier title. This symbolic declaration was commemorated in August 2019 with a plaque that both mourns the loss and serves as a stark warning to the world.

The plaque bears an inscription in Icelandic and English, reading ‘A letter to the future’, and states that Ok is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status as a glacier. It goes on to mention that in the next 200 years, all of Iceland’s glaciers are expected to follow the same path.

This event is not just a local issue but a glaring indicator of the large-scale environmental changes taking place on our planet. Glaciers are key freshwater resources and vital to the health of global ecosystems. Their disappearance signals not only the loss of these majestic natural wonders but also critical changes in water availability, sea levels, and weather patterns.

Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, environmental officials, and activists from around the world attended the plaque unveiling ceremony. The message concludes with the date of the ceremony and this haunting note for future generations: ‘We know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it.’

The demise of Ok glacier is a call to action for policymakers, scientists, and citizens worldwide to take immediate and decisive measures to combat climate change. It highlights the urgency for widespread environmental reforms and the adoption of sustainable practices to prevent further ecological loss.