The sea starts here
A project to investigate the health status of glaciers and the interconnection with marine ecosystems, highlighting the global spread of pollution.
"The sea starts here" is a project by One Ocean Foundation, supported by Giorgio Armani, that explores the deep connection between the sea and glaciers, highlighting the interconnection between mountain and marine ecosystems. The project focuses particularly on glacier contamination levels and the effects of climate change, adopting an approach that combines scientific research, education, and awareness-raising.
Once considered the “freezers” of the planet, glaciers are now, due to climate change, releasing pollutants accumulated in the past. These substances not only negatively impact mountain and valley ecosystems but potentially contribute to increased marine pollution, demonstrating how mountain and marine environments are linked through the water cycle.
In collaboration with the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policies of the University of Milan, a detailed mapping of the state of contamination of 15 Alpine glaciers and the only Apennine glacieret, the Calderone, which is currently in sharp decline, was carried out. The result is the production of the first comprehensive map on the contamination status of Italian glaciers.
• Western Alps: Glacier Blanc, Pré de Bar, Mont Miné, Preda Rossa
• Central Alps: Fellaria ovest, Fellaria, Lupo, Dosdè, Platigliole, Sforzellina
• Eastern Alps: Mandrone, Ebenferner-Vedretta Piana, Forni, Cedec, Pasterze
• Apennines: Calderone
1. Research
Map the contamination levels of glaciers and monitor their state of pollution, identifying pollutant classes and contamination sources.
2. Education
Develop school programs and activities to raise awareness among younger generations about the importance of the water cycle, pollution, and the impacts of climate change.
3. Raising awareness
Spread awareness about the urgent need to protect the environment, emphasizing how seemingly distant ecosystems, such as mountains and seas, are deeply interconnected.
The project “The sea starts here” highlights the importance of viewing the water cycle as an integrated system: what happens at the mountain peaks has consequences for valley and marine ecosystems. This holistic perspective is crucial to tackling global challenges such as climate change and pollution, which require an interdisciplinary approach and cooperation across science, education, and awareness initiatives.
Also, the project runs in parallel with the Foundation’s research activities in the Mediterranean Sea, where the same pollutants analyzed in the glaciers are being monitored.
