...July is focused on the study of our changing climate...

Much debate has taken place in recent years with regards to climate change. From the melting ice caps to the warming oceans, the dramatic changes to global climate are being noticed. "Climate change", which has also been referred to as "global warming," is caused by a variety of factors within the Earth's atmosphere, such as the pattern of the ocean currents, plate tectonic movement, volcanism, solar radiation, and glaciers. However, in the past 150 years a major contributor has become human activities and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Glaciers are known as an indicator of ongoing climate changes, regenerating and growing during cold months and melting back during warmer seasons. Over the last century, most glaciers have been unable to generate enough ice during the winter months, and thus are retreating. The effects of melting glaciers include loss of habitat for polar bears, while exposing and melting the permafrost.

The USGS is committed to climate change research. Over the years, studies have been initiated to learn more about the cause and effect of the many different variables influencing climate change. To learn more about this research, and to view current publications in regards to climate change, please visit the links below:

USGS Documents Alaska Coastal Erosion: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1701

Research Needed on Imperiled Coral Systems: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1713

USGS Finds Polar Bear Denning Shifting from Sea Ice to Coastal Habitats in Northern Alaska: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1705

To view the Photographic Library collection of glacier images, including comparisons of historic and recent glacier photography, please visit the following URL: http://libraryphoto.cr.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/search.cgi?search_mode=noPunct;free_form=glacier;free_form =;free_form=;free_form=;start=0