Columbia University and Universidad Católica Partner to Unravel Glacial Retreat and Climate Change in Chilean Patagonia
In addition to an exchange program and numerous publications, a field academy was recently held in Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales.
For the past twelve years, a fruitful partnership developed between Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) and Universidad Católica's (UC) Institute of Geography and UC’s Patagonia Research Station. Led by professor Joerg Schaefer, director of LDEO's Cosmogenic Isotope Laboratory, and Esteban Sagredo, assistant director of the Geography Institute, this collaboration has been dedicated to unraveling the history of Patagonian Ice Sheet fluctuations since the last glaciation.
This joint effort has not only produced over a dozen publications in scientific journals, exploring the connection between glaciers and climate on various timescales, but it has also significantly impacted academic training. Through an exchange program, it has fostered the development of over a dozen young researchers, both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows. These future leaders are expected to make significant contributions to climate change issues across academic, public, and private sectors globally.
Mike Kaplan, a geologist and research professor at LDEO's Division of Geochemistry, has played a pivotal role in this collaboration. With over two decades of experience studying glacial changes in Chilean Patagonia, he has served as a valuable mentor to numerous Chilean students.
In early March, a significant milestone was reached with the organization of the first Field Academy in Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park. This event brought together academics and graduate students from Columbia University, Universidad Católica, the University of Utah, and Utah State University.
The Field Academy was directed towards member of the MAGIC Project (Mountain Glacier Contribution to Sea Level CE 1900-2100). This international research initiative, involving experts from diverse institutions and disciplines, aims to understand the impacts of glacial retreat. Ultimately, the project seeks to develop transdisciplinary strategies for adapting to climate change and mitigating its effects, addressing the challenges of climate justice in both Chile and the United States.
“It was an incredible field academy, a transformative experience for all of us. It was really was sparked by our more than a decade-long close collaboration with professor Esteban Sagredo at Universidad Católica. Our 'science and education exchange program' developed over all these years, stands out as one of the most successful endeavors of my career,” Schaefer states. “Addressing climate and glacial change and its impacts on society, this initiative is embedded in the theme of climate justice, one of the fundamental challenges that Chilean society and the world will face in the coming decades.”
A Collaborative Approach to Global Issues
Over the course of a week, members of the MAGIC Project delved into both the theoretical and practical aspects of their respective disciplines. They embarked on field trips to Torres del Paine's glaciers, analyzed paleoclimate records to understand their evolution over recent decades, and engaged in discussions regarding future trends in glacier evolution and water availability in Chile. “The core objective of this experience was to forge a tangible link between climate science and its real-world social consequences,” explains Sagredo. “In Chile, we face the critical challenge of assessing, managing, and adapting to the impacts of glacial retreat on our water resources.”
The LDEO delegation included Schaefer and Assistant professor Jacqueline Austermann, from the LDEO Seismology, Geology and Tectonophysics Division.
Representing UC were Sagredo, Cristián Simonetti from the School of Anthropology, PhD candidate Fabián Riquelme, and undergraduate student María José Puentes, the two latter from the Institute of Geography. Additionally, the team benefited from the expertise of Ryan Vachon, a documentary filmmaker and science communication specialist from the University of Colorado Boulder.
As evidence indicates, tackling global challenges requires collaboration across disciplines in order to significantly contribute to adaptation or mitigation efforts. Sagredo emphasizes this point: "The recent expedition to Patagonia underscored the need of strengthening and formalizing our collaboration to foster cutting-edge research and training programs for young researchers. We must also visualize future challenges, actively seeking new opportunities for collaboration and funding with the support of Universidad Católica and Columbia University to ensure the continued success of this initiative."
As a result of the collaborative efforts of the Santiago Center and UC's Vice Presidency of International Affairs, Columbia University and Universidad Católica formalized a partnership in October 2023 to advance research and scholarly collaboration across various disciplines, with a particular focus on climate change. The new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was signed in New York by both university presidents.
