Interesting question, but easily answered I believe. If ice melted in the northern region it would not raise the sea-level, since much of the ice is in water and would not make a difference if it melted. The same amount of space is taken-up as ice or water. I do not think that all of the ice would melt (most being in the southern region-Antarctica-ice situated on the continent) since the average temperature in the area is about -37°C, although if the ice did indeed melt, it would still be catastrophic, especially in areas such as Indonesia (low-lying land masses) Many coastal cities and areas alike would be flooded or inundated with water. Standing/stagnate water may result and give rise to diseases such as malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes. Farmland would also be affected, as water (salt) would literally destroy crops. This would cause farmers to relocate to higher altitudes, but would also present problems for crops that cannot grow in higher elevations. A cascade-effect would take place displacing people,animals and marine life. Huge rises in the price of land. Governments and peoples confronting each other in dispute over land and food. It would be a socio-economic nightmare; a situation that may be hard to deal with in a civilized manner.
At the same time, I do not believe that all land masses would be covered by water, unless there was a polar shift so severe that huge amounts of water would suddenly be displaced. I am not certain of these events, but one thing that I am certain about is that all of humanity will face something in the not-too-distant future, which it is ill-prepared for.
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