Answer: The melting of Thwaites Glacier in the Antarctic region is of great concern due to its potential to significantly contribute to global sea level rise. The glacier is currently losing ice at an alarming rate, estimated to be around 250 billion tons per year. This is due to a combination of warming ocean currents, a decrease in the amount of snowfall, and increased melting of surface ice. 

Reasons for melting of glaciers: 

• Increased global temperatures due to climate change: As the Earth's temperature increases due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, glaciers are experiencing warmer temperatures, causing them to melt at accelerated rates.  
• Human activities like burning fossil fuels, industrialization, and deforestation: These activities release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and warming the planet.  
• Changes in albedo: Albedo refers to the reflectivity of the Earth's surface. When snow and ice cover the surface, they reflect a lot of the sun's energy back into space, keeping the planet cool. But as the snow and ice melt, the surface becomes less reflective, absorbing more of the sun's energy and causing further warming. 
• Changes in precipitation: If an area receives less snowfall than usual, it can cause the glacier to shrink. Alternatively, if an area receives more snowfall than usual, the glacier can grow. However, changes in precipitation patterns due to climate change can result in overall loss of glacier mass. 

Impact of the melting of the ice caps and glaciers in the polar regions and higher altitudes: 

• Rising Sea Levels: The melting of ice caps and glaciers in the polar regions and higher altitudes contributes to a rise in global sea levels, which can lead to increased flooding, coastal erosion, and displacement of coastal communities.  
• Disruption of Weather Patterns: As the ice caps and glaciers in the polar regions and higher altitudes melt, the climate patterns that regulate weather are disrupted. This can cause more extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and droughts.  
• Loss of Habitat: There will be loss of habitats for many species, as their environment becomes unsuitable for them to survive. For example, loss of habitat of the polar bear 
• Increased greenhouse gases: Melting ice caps and glaciers can release methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This can contribute to global warming, which can cause extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and other environmental disasters. 

Measures to control melting of the ice caps and glaciers: 

• Decrease Carbon Emissions: This can be achieved through a variety of methods, such as improving energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy sources, and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Following the commitments under Paris Agreement is the need of the hour. For example, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched initiatives like the International Program on Arctic Climate Change (IPACC). 
• Increase Carbon Sequestration: It can be done by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide stored in forests, soils, and oceans by preserving and restoring ecosystems, planting trees, and practicing sustainable agriculture.  
• Adapt to Climate Change: We must learn to adapt to the changing climate and its impacts, such as rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and changes in water availability. This includes adopting strategies such as relocating populations to safer areas, improving infrastructure to reduce potential damages, and taking steps to conserve water resources.  
• Improve Arctic Governance: We must ensure that Arctic governance institutions, such as the Arctic Council, are taking effective steps to protect Arctic marine and terrestrial ecosystems from the impacts of climate change. This includes strengthening environmental protections and promoting sustainable development. 

The melting of ice caps and glaciers in the polar regions and higher altitudes will have a significant impact on global climate patterns and lead to rising sea levels. It is essential to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases to prevent further melting of the ice. The most effective global programmes to tackle the impact of the melting of the ice caps and glaciers in the polar regions and higher altitudes are the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Climate Change.