POW x icebreaker: Glacier Reduction & Downstream Impact

What melts up there,
matters down here.

Protect Our Winters x icebreaker

We've teamed up with the environmental NGO POW to raise awareness about the critical issue of melting glaciers and their downstream impact.

Our collaboration with Protect Our Winters is a testament to our dedication to environmental stewardship and our belief in the power of collective action.

Learn more about Downstream, a scientific film project we funded with the VF Foundation. Research for this project explores the impact of glacier loss in three rivers across three continents and led to the making of a whitepaper and a documentary film.

Inspired by the beauty and gravitas of the world’s glaciers, we created an exclusive design that shines a light on the Gorner Glacier’s solemn gauge of climate change. Explore the capsule collection.

Documented by Huw James

Downstream

Glacier loss is an impact of climate change all too familiar to the outdoor industry. The impacts on alpinism and winter sports are all evident but what are the wider implications for our planet and our society?

From kayaking to crop irrigation techniques, via hydropower generation and habitat changes for aquatic life, climb aboard to discover the variety of challenges facing downstream glaciers, and the levers of action we can take to reduce our impacts and cope with climate change.

We travelled along three rivers in three different continents to discover the consequences of glacial retreat. We met scientists, athletes, farmers and anglers to understand the effect melting glaciers have on the communities and ecosystems downstream.

These touching encounters empowered us to develop a whitepaper and documentary to understand the problem and adapt to a future with climate change.

The impact on communities

Glacial recession and the reduction of snow cover in Europe’s Alps are disrupting the flow of the Rhône River. This results in decreased river flows, an advancing salt wedge, and a decline in aquatic biodiversity. The effects on local businesses downstream are already evident. Water resource management is a crucial issue for winegrowers and rising soil salinization affects rice production and community drinking water.

The impact on biodiversity

In the upper Columbia River basin, glacier retreat is leading to reduced summer water flows. This has a devastating effect on water management, hydropower generation, and local ecosystems. Similarly, in the upper Snake River, melting glaciers and dam operations are contributing to rising temperatures that harm wildlife. Educating younger generations on the consequences of melting glaciers is critical for the longevity of downstream biodiversity.

The impact on growers

The Waitaki River, a significant braided river on New Zealand’s South Island, is home to numerous merino farms. The reduction of this river flow results in poor soil quality that hampers plant growth and affects grazing for merino sheep. To address these challenges, farmers are applying regenerative practices to improve soil health and enhance the biodiversity of the grazing environment. Constant adaptation must be applied to ensure that future generations can benefit from nature as much as we do today.

The impact on communities

The impact on biodiversity

The impact on growers

Power in partnership: Protect Our Winters x icebreaker

Inspired by the beauty and fragility of the world's glaciers, the POW x icebreaker capsule collection features an aerial shot print of Switzerland's Gorner Glacier. Receding nearly 3 kilometres since 1859, the Gorner Glacier is a stark indicator of climate change, its retreat vividly captured in this print.