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Yes, melting ice caps could potentially cause an ice age, at least in the northern hemisphere. The ocean currents that carry climate patterns around the world, such as the gulf stream are in a fairly delicate balance, and much of this movement has to do with the salt content of the water in the north atlantic. If the arctic cap were to melt, this fresh water would dilute the salt water to the extent that the gulf stream would come to a stop, thereby no longer bringing the warmer climates through from the tropics, and thereby seeing a freezing over of at least Europe. For a better explanation, see Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBecause extra greenhouse gases in the atmosphere means the temperature is rising and melting the ice caps. They are also part of the climate feedback (albedo), because ice caps reflect the sun's heat away from the earth. The more they melt the more the darker earth and oceans absorb heat and get warmer!
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How would melting ice caps change the albedo affect?
Melting ice caps increases the amount of light absorbed from the sun since the oceans absorb instead of reflect light, thus albedo, the ability to reflect light from the surface, is diminished.
What are some slogans for polar ice caps melting?
i am melting can you see me ?
Why does the melting of the ice caps lower the concentration of salt in the ocean?
The ice caps are made of freshwater.
How can global warming cause flooding?
Global warming can cause flooding because climate change is melting glaciers and ice caps. This is raising sea-levels and low-lying Pacific Island countries and other coastal areas will be in danger of flooding. Climate change is also changing the climate, meaning there may be more severe storms, more often, high tide surges, and more monsoon rains in some places, less in others.
What are the reactions of global warming?
The ploar ice caps are melting.
How is climate change a reality?
because the ice caps are melting and sea levels are dreamatically rising.
What consequence of climate change could cause shoreline erosion and coastal flooding?
The melting of the glaciers and ice caps of Greenland, Antarctica and other places.
Ice caps eroding your beaches away?
Yes melting ice caps due to climate change and therefore sea level rise is partially to blame for the erosion of beaches but there may be more to this story.
Is the melting of polar ice caps chemical change?
no
Are sea-level changes an impact on climate change?
No, sea level rises are a result of climate change. Warming oceans expand and so the sea level rises. Melting glaciers and ice caps also add to the rise.
Which of the Benelux countries would be most affected by climate change and melting polar ice caps?
Netherlands, because the northwestern part is below sea levels.
What are the specific effects of climate change?
Increased global temperatures, increased water levels due to melting of polar ice caps. Possibly more volatile weather.
Are humans responsible for polar ice caps melting?
The arctic ice caps are melting because of global warming. The strong consensus of climate scientists is that human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, and deforestation, are responsible for gloabal warming. So, yes, humans are responsible for polar ice caps melting.
Why is the worlds climate so hot?
Mostly Global Warming. The polar ice caps that are melting is a great example.
What environments have been affected by climate change?
The polar ice caps.
Is greenhouse effect harming us?
It is melting the icecaps (which can be proven by looking at the polar ice caps) which effects the weather. Yes greenhouse, global climate change is taking place and is harming the human race.
What are two signs of climate change?
More extreme weather, heat waves, cold spells, fierce cyclones.Sea levels rising because: Surface waters are warming and so expanding,Glaciers and ice caps are melting.
