The effect and probability of the melting of the polar ice caps - as well as possible prevention (or lack of it)

Over the past fifty or more years, there has been much discussion over the effect of global warming on the earth. Though much of this discussion was mostly hype or hoax, there is one effect that can cause considerable change to the earth's environment: the melting of the ice caps. There are basically four important ice caps: the polar ice caps, which are the north and south pole, the Greenland ice caps, and the South …

…depth of the ice from space using knowledge of the speed of light. The satellite, besides calculating the mass of the ice, will also calculate cloud and aerosol heights, as well as make topographical maps. This satellite was scheduled to launch on December 19th, but due to complications it has been delayed until early January. After this satellite has gathered enough information, scientists may finally have enough information to find a solution to this threat.