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ENVIRONMENT: Expedition team warns of global warming threat to Athabasca River

            (AlbertaIndex, July 4, Wednesday) --- The Athabasca Expedition team has returned from the first phase of their two-month trip with a message for Canadians regarding the threat global warming poses to the source of the Athabasca River - the Columbia Icefield. 

            “We’re stunned by how much the Athabasca Glacier has receded,” said expedition leader Don Van Hout of the Pembina Institute who witnessed the recession first hand. The change in the glacier… is alarming.”
           
Studies have predicted that temperature increases due to global warming will contribute to the melting of glaciers that help supply the headwaters of some of the major rivers in Alberta, like the Athabasca River.
            The projected rate of water use from the Athabasca River by oil sands mining projects will only add to the problem of declining river flow. According to a recent study by World Wildlife Fund Canada, annual runoff of the Athabasca River has already declined by 20% over the last 45 years and could decline by as much as 30% under 2°C global warming.
            “Glaciers can be viewed as the canary in the coal mine,” said Marlo Raynolds, Pembina executive director. “Global warming may be a significant factor in glacier recession. We need to wake up to the fact that Canadians need to take action now if we want to protect one of Canada’s greatest heritage rivers and the water supply to many northern Alberta communities.”
            At the end of the first leg of the Athabasca Expedition, the team journeyed 1,538 km for two months covering the length of the Athabasca River. The expedition team traveled to the source of the river, the Columbia Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield to view this mountain water source.
            The team continues their journey with a four-to five-week canoeing expedition that will reach the Peace-Athabasca Delta in August.
            Along the way, the expedition will raise awareness about one of Canada’s most historic and significant watersheds which encompasses glaciers and boreal forest threatened by global climate change, rapidly expanding oil sands developments, and one of the largest inland freshwater deltas in the world.

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