As more of the Sun’s radiation becomes trapped on Earth by the build-up of Greenhouse Gases, the global temperature increases. This increase in temperature is referred to as Global Warming. Much like Climate Change, this occurred through a natural cycle by Greenhouse Gases building up in the atmosphere by volcanic activity. Today, this warming trend is caused mainly through the burning of fossil fuels that emit these gases into the atmosphere.

Global Warming has become more noticeable in recent years. This change has not only been seen in the steady climb of the Earth’s temperature, but also in the melting of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic polar ice caps. Normally, ice breaks from the Arctic and travels south to the Equator, steadily melting and leaving a small amount of fresh water in the ocean.

Global Warming has not only increased the amount of ice that breaks away but also has caused this ice to melt faster as it travels, upsetting ecosystems in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This is also felt on land, especially in regions that have lakes and rivers that rely on the routine cycle of ice and snow melting from mountainous areas. Just like in the melting of icebergs, more ice is melting than being replaced, leading to lakes and streams decreasing in size over time.

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Other Sources

David Suzuki Foundation. “The Impact of Climate Change.” http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/climate-change/science/impacts/impacts-of-climate-change/. Accessed May 2, 2016.

Government of Canada. “About Climate Change.” http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=F2DB1FBE-1. Accessed May 2, 2016.