Ancient Ice: What Glaciers Reveal about Climate Change

Gr 4-6--Glaciers, huge rivers of slowly moving ice, are a crucial part of Earth's topography. They store almost 70 percent of our fresh water, cool the planet, change the physical landscape, and help maintain plant and animal life. However, due to increasing climate change, glaciers are melting and disappearing at an alarming rate. Golkar defines glaciers and ice sheets and their general locations. By mentioning (but not documenting) several scientific studies, Golkar shows how melt from glaciers is raising sea levels, flooding land, changing habitats, and otherwise impacting our world. There is a brief discussion about the causes of climate change--increased greenhouse gases, manufacturing, and deforestation--and how those causes drive the rapid melt of glaciers. The author explains the importance of glaciologists and their studies of the deep ice. Their work is showing just how quickly these rivers of ice are melting, even at the top of Mt. Everest! Golkar includes two simple experiments to provide some concrete activities to reinforce information about glaciers. This book has crisp, clear photographs of glaciers, and a detailed illustration of the water cycle. VERDICT A general purchase, especially where environment-focused titles are in need.--Lisa Crandall