In episode three of Ice and Fire, we hear about a microbial reawakening of microscopic life that was frozen into permafrost, often for millennia. These small life forms spring back when permafrost thaws. Though individually tiny, microbial communities -- composed of bacteria, fungi, and archaea -- have substantial impact to Earth, including the greenhouse gasses they emit when they metabolize and perform cellular respiration.

topics and purpose: the significance of microbes to the atmosphere and global warming as permafrost thaws

terms defined: microbes and microbial communities

notes: Check out Dr. Romanowicz's website to read more microbes and their significance to permafrost thaw. Learn more about the Permafrost Pathways Program, part of the Woodwell Climate Research Center, here.

In episode two we drill into the soil profile to learn about soil layers in northern landscapes. This shows us how deep permafrost is, and the impacts to people as the soil profile changes and permafrost thaws.

topics and purpose: soil layers in northern regions are impacted by global warming; temperature records and increases, impacts of permafrost thaw on local and global levels

terms defined: soil core & soil profile; active layer, transition zone, permafrost layer

notes: Learn more about the Permafrost Pathways Program, part of the Woodwell Climate Research Center, here. Check out Dr. Romanowicz's website to read more about his research.

As global temperatures increase due to anthropogenic climate change, a myriad of impacts result for people and the planet. In this podcast, we share the ramifications of cryosphere change (melting/thawing water from solid ice) as the planet warms.

In the first episode of season two, we introduce the topic of permafrost thaw, which will be explored throughout this season. In northern latitudes and at colder reaches of Earth, deep soil layers historically remained frozen year-round. Now warmer temperatures are causing this soil to thaw, and the repercussions are significant on local and global levels.

Permafrost Pathways helps us dig into the topic and science of permafrost. Artist Nikki Lindt introduces us to her work which captures sounds of thawing.

topics and purpose: an introduction to permafrost, which is actively thawing in northern latitudes – Nikki Lindt shares her related audio recordings and experiences; local and global impacts of permafrost thaw

terms defined: cryosphere, permafrost; continuous and discontinuous permafrost, thermokarst slump, positive feedback loop

notes: We recommend using over-the-ear headphones or speakers when listening to this episode due to some subtle, low frequency field audio shared. More of Nikki Lindt’s work with the Underground Sound Project can be found here. Learn more about the Permafrost Pathways Program, part of the Woodwell Climate Research Center, here.

In the last episode of the season, we dissect Robert Frost's 1920 poem, Fire and Ice, over a tent poetry session. This involves grappling with climate anxiety, and recognizing the role of personal behaviors in perpetuating the climate crisis.

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In the last full episode of the season, we travel to the Greenland ice sheet and hear from a researcher who collects data at the face of tidewater glaciers, studying the turbulent zone where freshwater meets and mixes with seawater. This episode emphasizes the transition of solid ice into liquid freshwater, occurring globally, due to increasing temps, and shares why loss of the frozen reservoir matters.

topics and purpose: scene-setting in Greenland, transition and movement of water molecules globally as part of the interconnected hydrological cycle, increasing temperatures and glacier melt events due to anthropogenic climate change, research methods on ice and at the glacier-ocean interface, the global significance and utility of glaciers, balance, wrapping up the season

terms defined: freshwater reservoir, seismology, sonification, geophones, icequakes

notes: Learn more about the Glacioburst/sonification project by Mertl Research

In episode five we hear what makes tidewater glacier habitat an acoustic refuge, and why glaciers are important to other species in the ecosystem. We also discuss One Health connections, how Traditional Ecological Knowledge has allowed us to track the rate of melting tidewater glaciers, and close with the cascading ramifications of glacier habitat loss to living organisms.

topics and purpose: One Health connections, tidewater glacier habitat, acoustic refuge: marine mammals depend on the tidewater glacier ecosystem, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and habitat change/loss as the climate changes

terms defined: One Health, tidewater glacier, iceberg, calving event, harbor seal, site fidelity, acoustic refuge

In mini-episode four, we listen to part of the glacier travel story shared in the book Do Glaciers Listen? for a second time. Frank Olive from the University of Alaska Fairbanks shares risk mitigation strategies, like roping up to avoid injury during crevasse falls.

topics and purpose: safety, why we rope up for travel on snow-covered glaciers

terms defined: crevasse, snow bridge

In episode three we hear from Judy Ramos in Lingít Aaní. She tells us about the history of glacier travel in the region, and about the Spirit of the Glacier.

topics and purpose: Indigenous people in Alaska and Canada have been traveling on glaciers for hundreds to thousands of years, oral stories in the region about glaciers, historic glacier advance and retreat impacted communities, Spirit of the Glacier, glaciers respond to people

terms defined: Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Indigenous science