How will global warming affect the polar ice caps?
Polar ice caps are some of the largest surface features on our planet and any changes to them, however small, could have far reaching effects. Melting due to global warming is expected to reduce the size and extent of the polar ice caps, even after taking into account the potential for more snow and ice accumulation atop the ice sheets due to increased precipitation. Melting of polar ice and land based glaciers is expected to contribute to the one half foot to three feet sea level rise projected by the IPCC for the 21st century. Shrinking ice caps may also cause changes in ocean circulation and even storm tracks. To be sure, not all of the melting currently occurring is due to global warming, and the melting of floating sea ice does not affect sea level. Further warming will likely accelerate the shrinkage of ice caps and glaciers, however. Of particular concern is the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. A sudden collapse would raise sea levels 16-20 feet, but the IPCC considers
