Glaciers are important components of alpine ecosystems and provide some water for agriculture and hydroelectric power in the US west, even if they are remote from where most people live. Still, their retreat has been fast enough to cause a sense of angst among locals, according to Fountain.
“People like knowing glaciers are around, they are close to their hearts and it’s worrying to see the mountains look bare,” he said. “The loss of glaciers is also tangible evidence of a shrinking snowpack, where a lot of drinking water is sourced from, so that is a concern when it comes to drought too.”…
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2026/oct/23/glacier-loss-climate-crisis-west
