The First Icelandic Glacier Lost to Climate Change Will Receive a Memorial

According to The Guardian, one century ago, Okjökull covered almost six miles and was 165 feet thick. Today, it has been reduced to less than one mile of ice that is thinner than 50 feet.

The plaque reads, “A letter to the future. Ok is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status as a glacier. In the next 200 years, all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path. This monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it.”

In a press release, Howe said, “By marking Ok’s passing, we hope to draw attention to what is being lost as Earth’s glaciers expire. These bodies of ice are the largest freshwater reserves on the planet and frozen within them are histories of the atmosphere. They are also often important cultural forms that are full of significance.”

Okjökull glacier is one of 400 glaciers in Iceland, all of which scientists fear will be gone by 2200. In lieu of flowers, you can reduce your carbon emissions.