STUDY ON THE ROLE OF THE ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC REGIONS IN GLOBAL CHANGE

It is more clear to understand the role of the Arctic and Antarctic regions in the Earth's system through investigations for last 50 years. Both polar regions keep 99% of the world's glacier, approximately 78% of freshwater. It would cause the sea level to rise 65 meters if all the glaciers melt out from the polar regions. The polar regions are very important and active elements in the world climate system through a strong interaction between the ice, atmosphere and surrounding waters. The global change appears to affect the Arctic and Antarctic regions such as the events of ozone hole in the Antarctic atmosphere and north moving of permafrost zone in the Arctic region. China has established two Antarctic research stations and an icebreaker,and has made expeditions for last 20 years. Chinese scientists have put forward new opinions for regional characteristics of the Arctic and Antarctic and its role in global change