Glaciers in the Anthropocene A Biocultural View

Disappearing glaciers are one of the most evident signals of cli- mate change of the current period in Earth's history, the Anthropocene. In this article, we discuss the side effects of the glacier melt from a biocultural standpoint, moving from the Southern European Alps to a global context. Specifically, we highlight what we are losing from a cultural and naturalistic perspective but also, paradoxically, what we could gain if we were able to understand more deeply, and with an interdisciplinary approach, glacial dynamics and their role for human society. Glaciers can teach us several stories, but we are quickly approaching the last chance to listen to them.

Automated summary

This article discusses the side effects of glacier melt from a biocultural standpoint, highlighting what we are losing culturally and naturally, but also emphasizing the potential gain from a deeper interdisciplinary understanding of glacial dynamics and their role in human society. It serves as a reminder that we are rapidly approaching our last chance to listen to the stories glaciers can teach us.