Final answer:
Glaciers shrinking in various regions is a strong indicator of global temperature increases. This is part of the broader effects of global warming, which include ecosystem disruption and rising sea levels linked to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
An observation that might be related to global temperature increases is that glaciers in many areas of the world are shrinking. This phenomenon, often referred to as glacier recession, has been well-documented in various parts of the world, including Glacier National Park in Montana. The retreat of glaciers is a direct consequence of rising mean annual temperatures, which has been recorded at an increase of 1.33°C since 1900 in the park. As glaciers shrink, they contribute to rising sea levels and affect local ecosystems by reducing seasonal water supplies.
The impact of global warming is not limited to glacier retreat; it also encompasses the loss of polar ice fields, increases in extreme weather events, shifts in habitats and biodiversity, and a range of other ecological disturbances. These changes are indicative of the broader shifts occurring due to increases in greenhouse gas emissions, which have been linked to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.