Glaciers exist on nearly every continent, and their retreat is one of the most visible signs of climate change. Receding ice and snow cover significantly impact oceanic and atmospheric temperatures, affecting weather patterns globally.
Glaciers exist on nearly every continent, and their retreat is one of the most visible signs of climate change. Receding ice and snow cover significantly impact oceanic and atmospheric temperatures, affecting weather patterns globally.
Most of the world's glacial ice is found in Antarctica and Greenland, but glaciers exist on nearly every continent, stabilizing the climate and acting as freshwater reservoirs. Currently, approximately 15% of the planet’s oceans are covered by sea ice for some part of the year. This coverage is important because it reflects sunlight away from the earth’s surface and back into outer space. The reflective process helps to keep the temperature of the earth’s air and oceans stable. As global carbon emissions cause temperatures at the poles to rise, sea ice melts, and ocean coverage is reduced. Sea ice is declining by more than 10% every decade, impacting oceanic and atmospheric temperatures. This temperature increase alters ocean circulation and the jet stream, which impacts weather patterns around the world.