Albedo Effect

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"The albedo effect is the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight. Light-colored surfaces (high albedo) reflect more sunlight than dark-colored surfaces (low albedo). Albedo can also be known as surface albedo."[1]

Effect on Global Heating

If Earth's climate is colder and there is more snow and ice on the planet, albedo increases, more sunlight is reflected out to space, and the climate gets even cooler. But, when warming causes snow and ice to melt, darker colored surfaces are exposed, albedo decreases, less solar energy is reflected out to space, and the planet warms even more. This is known as the ice-albedo feedback.[2]

See also

Climate Feedback Loops

Sources