The third effect of melting ice caps is the increase in greenhouse levels (Gore, 2008, p. 8). Science proves that there is a considerable amount of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases trapped in ice bodies around the world (Phys.org, 2012). As these bodies melt, they release these gases into the atmosphere, which in turn results in an increase in the rate of global warming. Additionally, these ice bodies contribute to what is referred to as the albedo effect (Ashton, Tyrell, Spalding and Gentry 2012, p. 130). They use this to directly refer to the reflectivity of a geographical feature. Ice bodies reflect back more sunlight, thus contributing to the cooling effect of the earth. As they melt, instead of reflective ice, there occurs dark, heat absorbing water masses. This also increases the temperature of the earth. Both of these effects compound the global warming problem.