Double Exposure - Photographing Environmental Change

HENEY GLACIER

The lower Heney's blanket of dirt is thick enough to provide some insulation. But the local average temperature has risen almost 4 degrees F since the 1950s, and the glacier is melting.

Because this photo was taken in June (unlike the 2006 photo, taken in September due to poor summer weather), early spring snow hides much of the ice from view.

Glacial thinning has occurred at higher elevations and at the Heney's terminus, which is about half its 1937 width. The McCune Glacier (boxed) is disappearing.

Buildings, and their need for light, power, and heat, account for 48% of America's CO₂ emissions. Better design would bring a 50 to 80% energy (and emissions) savings. By 2035, three quarters of the nation's built environment will be new or renovated. And building it green doesn't have to be a sacrifce: During the 1970s oil crises, the nation was able to decrease energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, while still increasing the Gross Domestic Product by more than one trillion dollars.