Albedo feedback

Albedo feedback refers to a process where changes in Earth's surface reflectivity influence climate. Albedo is a measure of how much sunlight a surface reflects; high albedo means more reflection, low means more absorption. For example, ice and snow have high albedo, reflecting much sunlight and helping keep the planet cool. If global temperatures rise and ice melts, darker surfaces like ocean water or land are exposed, which have lower albedo and absorb more heat. This increased absorption raises temperatures further, leading to more ice melt and a reinforcing cycle that accelerates global warming.