Global Outlook for Ice and Snow: Chapter 1 - Highlights

Ice and snow are important components of the Earth’s
climate system and are particularly sensitive to global
warming. Over the last few decades the amount of ice
and snow, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, has
decreased substantially, mainly due to human-made global
warming. Changes in the volumes and extents of ice
and snow have both global and local impacts on climate,
ecosystems and human well-being.