Why Glaciers Matter: Exploring a Changing Polar World with Grace Cordsen

What can glaciers teach us about our changing planet, and why should people thousands of miles away from the world’s great ice fields care?In this episode of The Intelligence Report Podcast, Dylan Welch sits down with glacier researcher, journalist, and explorer Grace Cordsen to discuss her work across the Arctic and Antarctic and what she has witnessed firsthand in some of the planet’s most remote environments.Grace shares her journey from joining an Arctic expedition as a young researcher to working aboard expedition vessels across both polar regions. She discusses researching the visual history of the Arctic, witnessing glaciers retreat over time, the importance of understanding the communities and cultures connected to these environments, and how exploration can transform the way we think about conservation.One of the most powerful lessons from Grace's work is also one of the simplest: seeing environmental change can change the way we understand it. She describes returning to the same glaciers and comparing them with historical records from decades earlier revealing landscapes that have changed dramatically within a relatively short period of time. The conversation also explores the role of scientists, journalists, educators, travelers, and everyday people in protecting glaciers and the broader cryosphere. As Grace explains, one of the first things anyone can do is learn about these environments, understand how they are changing, and find meaningful ways to support their protection. Topics include: Arctic and Antarctic exploration, glacier retreat, climate communication, polar research, conservation, Indigenous and local communities, sustainable expedition travel, and how storytelling can help people understand, and protect, the world's frozen environments.Support the show