Key Points: Albedo
- Albedo is the fraction of solar energy reflected from the Earth back into space.
- Different surfaces have different albedo values. On Earth, snow and ice have the highest albedo, reflecting almost 100% of incoming solar energy.
- When the amount of snow and ice is reduced, a positive feedback loop is created leading to higher absorption of solar energy and more melting snow and ice.
- Changes on the surface of the Earth, such as melting ice, deforestation, and urbanization, can have an impact on the Earth’s heat budget because of albedo.
