Antarctica holds almost 90 percent of the Earth's ice, making it a crucial area for studying climate and ecology. In contrast, Greenland contains the majority of the remaining ice on the planet. These two regions are vital to understanding global sea levels and climate change, as their ice masses significantly impact environmental conditions worldwide.

The information is drawn from Bill Bryson's book, "A Short History of Nearly Everything," which explores various scientific topics. By emphasizing the importance of Antarctica and Greenland, Bryson highlights how critical it is to monitor these areas as they play a key role in the Earth's climate system.