Over 68 percent of the Earth's freshwater is locked in glaciers and the polar ice caps. Glaciers are important features in the water cycle and affect the volume, variability, and water quality of runoff in areas where they occur (ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/).
Global Warming Today
Since the end of the 19th century, the average temperature has risen 0.7 degrees C. To see the changes this rise in temperature has caused, compare the before and after photographs of glaciers below.
Past Warming Trend
Between the 10th and 14th centuries, the Earth warmed by 1 degree C. This is when wineries flourished in England, citrus trees grew in northern China, the passes in the Alps between Italy and Germany were navigable, and Iceland and Greenland were settled as the Arctic ice pack retreated.
Past Cooling Trend
The Earth underwent a Little Ice Age between the 15th and 19th centuries, when the average temperature was between 1-2 degrees C. cooler than today. The Alpine glaciers descended, the River Thames froze solid, sea ice expanded, thus sealing the fate of the Viking colony in Greenland. Spring melt brought flooding to lowland area in Europe, causing crop failure and increasing famine.
Future?
This post made in support of Blog Action Day 2009.
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7 comments:
Awseome pics, this is what they dont show you when they talk about Global warming, keep it up. I'm showinthis to myclass.
Powerful post, have given it a Stumble.
@ashley-Thanks for stopping by. If you need more educational materials about global warming, contact me.
@greenearth-Thanks for the visit and the stumble.
I came across your blog when I was searching for global warming. I was looking for material on the subject to teach my niece and to better educate myself. I found that your pictures engaged my niece more than the words I was reading to her. The comparison photos prompted her to ask a lot of questions. Thank you and we will be back to learn more.
I don't know why but the last pic of the No fishing sign really scared me.
Also the Perito Moreno in Argentina is melting really fast. We must do something but radically, that means goverment must punish the one's who contaminates and detroy the enviroment.
Scary pictures of Glaciers, just goes to show climate change really is happening. I hope some people stop denying it.
Excellent post on Global warming. I know a little about this topic and this article helped me learn about global warming in detail. Beautiful pictures.Keep blogging such posts.
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