Glaciers are critical to life. They are also one of the largest indicators of climate change, as they are retreating globally due to the rise in temperatures. The melting snow and ice from mountains are critical for freshwater supply in many regions: no more glaciers = less fresh water for human use. In addition, glaciers support the livelihoods and economies of billions around the world. I had the privilege to travel to Valdez, Alaska, to explore and also to investigate where micro plastics can be found in this seemingly pristine pocket of the world. Following leading scientist Abby Barrows across this majestic landscape it was sobering to learn that unanimously across all of our samples (glacial snow from mountain peaks, grizzly bear scat, salmon, water, and soil), there were micro plastics present in every single one of them. Additionally, as we boated through open water, our outdated satellite system had us located in the middle of a glacier… that glacier had drastically receded...