Shrinking glaciers on the Earth’s polar regions have triggered rising sea levels. This is just one of the alarming topics discussed by the about 300 scientists who convened Monday in Beijing to attend the 1st Climate & Cryosphere (CliC) International Science Conference.

　　The term "cryosphere" describes those portions of the Earth’s surface where water is frozen. This includes all kinds of snow and frozen ground such as permafrost.

　　The fluctuation of cryosphere can trigger climate changes. Melting glaciers impact the water downstream, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions, said Qin Dahe, director of China Meteorological Administration.