Albedo -

The 2023–2024 climate data has alarmed scientists because global albedo appears to be falling. Record low sea ice in Antarctica (whose surrounding ice acts as a massive mirror) and reduced low cloud cover in the Atlantic have dropped Earth’s reflectivity to the lowest levels in decades. Since less energy is being reflected, more is being absorbed by the oceans, accelerating warming further.

Forests (0.05–0.15) and open ocean water (~0.06) are dark and absorb most incident solar energy, leading to warming. Importance in Climate Science planetary albedo Albedo

If the Greenland Ice Sheet (which holds 8 feet of sea level rise) and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet cross an albedo tipping point, their complete loss becomes irreversible on human timescales. We will have effectively removed the planet’s sunglasses. The 2023–2024 climate data has alarmed scientists because