Jason Drebber is a PhD student at the Colorado School of Mines studying climate and glaciers. His research focuses on reconstructing the extent of past glaciers using the geologic record, helping scientists better understand climate conditions before direct observations were possible.
Jason grew up in a small town in Vermont and was motivated to study climate change after his childhood home was heavily damaged during Hurricane Irene in 2011. In recent years, his home state has experienced repeated flooding, including three consecutive years of major events, patterns that are almost certainly linked to climate change. These experiences have shaped his commitment to communicating the importance of climate science, particularly the role of polar and glaciated regions, which will continue to have far-reaching impacts on ecosystems and communities worldwide. He also recognizes that climate change is one of the most polarizing and difficult topics to discuss today.
For his outreach project, Jason is creating a series of social media posts centered on glaciology. His goal is to share a part of the world that most people will never see, as glaciers are often located in remote regions. Despite their distance, glaciers play a critical role in Earth’s climate system. Through images and stories from glaciated landscapes, he hopes to make these environments more tangible and inspire people to consider their importance. He also hopes to highlight the Juneau Icefield Research Program, which he participated in and which will be taking place again this summer. You can follow his posts on Instagram @glacierjason.
