Abstract

Global warming has changed the timings of freeze up and breaking up of ice in region. It has eroded the ice in the central polar basin. Decreases in the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets have been accelerating, and these two bodies of ice have sufficient stored-water volumes to raise the sea level by more than 10 m (meters) if both would melt completely. A limited number of glaciers globally have increased in volume due to increased snowfall overwhelming the increased melting rates. About half of the Arctic sea ice, unlike the Antarctic, is multi-year ice is ice that survives at least one summer. The average global sea-level curve shows distinct temporal fluctuations. In the 1920s and 1930s, sea-level rise speeded up, while in the 1960s, sea-level rise slowed down. The decrease in sea ice may expose coastal waves and storms causing increased coastal erosion. Global warming heavily impacts the habitat of arctic foxes in negative way. It has reduced the coverage of Arctic ice. Intro-governmental Panel on Climate Change was established by UNEP, United Nations agency, World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Table of Content

Abstract1

Polar Ice Caps Melting3

Introduction3

Cause3

Chemicals3

Effect4

Decrease in Arctic ice4

Decrease in multiyear ice5

Increase in Warm Temperature7

Rise in sea level7

Loss of habitat for Arctic wildlife9

Polar bear10

Arctic fox10

Resolution10

Kyoto Protocol10

Designate protected areas11

Protect Global Biodiversity12

Polar Ice Caps Melting

Introduction

Unfortunately, due to global warming, every year this ice is melting in the Arctic region. The main reason for the melting of ice is the global warming. It can be said that in the near future, no ice would remain in the Arctic Ocean; if the alarming situation stays the same. The melted ice is causing floating ice to become smaller in size and at more distance than before. A study conducted in Canada concluded that the ice is melting three times faster than it was melting in the era of 70s. Global warming has changed the timings of freeze up and breaking up of ice in region. It has eroded the ice in the central polar basin. Since ten years and more, global warming is effecting population. The global mercury emissions could increase 25% by 2020 if no measures are taken to control them (Sawchuk 2008, 273). The paper aims to discuss the causes of melting ice and its various reasons. The paper also discusses the effect of melting ice on the habitats of polar ice and areas. Lastly, the paper discusses the efforts and actions conducted to reduce the negative effects of polar ice melting. The paper provides a brief overview on the effects of polar ice caps melting: causes, effects and preventive actions.

Cause

Chemicals

The report of the scientific body set up by eight countries bordering the northern polar sector also warns that climate change could exacerbate the problem by releasing mercury trapped or trigger chemical processes that increase their toxicity. Especially concerned that levels of mercury are increasing in large parts of the continent despite the reduction of emissions in regions such as Europe, North America and Russia, reported the Monitoring and Assessment Program ...