Where Ice Once Stood: A Glacial Century in Svalbard - Climate Change

Photographer has undertaken a powerful visual project to document the evolution of glaciers in Spitsbergen, part of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. In collaboration with the Norwegian Polar Institute and Greenpeace, he set out to recreate century-old photographs taken by early Arctic explorers, capturing the same vantage points to provide a visual comparison between the past and present.

By meticulously aligning his modern-day shots with archival images taken over 100 years ago, he highlights the stark contrast in glacial coverage over time. Standing on a boat in the exact locations where explorers once photographed towering glaciers, he captures the dramatic retreat that has occurred in just over a century. The changes are not subtle — where there was once dense ice, there are now exposed valleys, open water, and bare rock.

Aslund first visited the region in 2002, producing a series of compelling images meant to raise awareness about the early signs of climate change. At the time, his work was met with a mix of intrigue and skepticism. Some questioned whether the changes were part of natural glacial cycles or overemphasized for impact. However, when he returned in 2024 to photograph the same scenes again, the evidence of accelerated glacial retreat was undeniable. In many locations, the ice had receded even farther than anticipated, leaving his visibly shaken by the dramatic difference.

This visual chronicle underscores the growing scientific consensus that glacial retreat is not merely a natural phenomenon, but a direct consequence of anthropogenic climate change. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Arctic has warmed at more than twice the global average since 2000 — a trend often referred to as "Arctic amplification." NASA also reports that Arctic sea ice is declining at a rate of 12.2% per decade, with 2023 marking one of the lowest extents of summer sea ice on record.

The melting of glaciers and sea ice has wide-reaching implications. As the reflective white surfaces of ice disappear, darker land and ocean surfaces absorb more solar radiation, accelerating global warming. This feedback loop contributes to rising sea levels, altered ocean currents, and unpredictable weather patterns across the globe. For communities in the Arctic and beyond, these changes are not distant possibilities — they are daily realities.

Aslund’s photographic series serves not only as a compelling artistic endeavor but also as a sobering visual testimony to the rapidly changing climate. The project is both a historical record and a wake-up call — a reminder that the impacts of global warming are already visible, measurable, and, perhaps most importantly, avoidable if urgent action is taken.

His work reminds us that photography can do more than capture beauty — it can capture truth, inspire change, and preserve the memory of a disappearing world.