It’s not Ok

I took this photo in the summer of 1977 on the Vatnajokull Glacier in South-East Iceland. We were taking measurements of the glacier to compare with earlier surveys.  It was clear back in 1977 that this glacier - the largest in Iceland - was retreating.

And now in Western Iceland the Okejokull glacier - known as ‘Ok’ - is ‘dead’.  A monument has been erected on site to mark its passing.  There’s an inscription on the monument; the  English translation is below.

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.

Andri Snær Magnason, August 2019