P2U2 03Feedback Loops in the Global Energy Balance

What is negative feedback in climate change?

• A process that increases change and accelerates the rate of change.

• A mechanism that reduces change and slows down the rate of change.

• An example of rising temperatures leading to more evaporation and warming.

• A phenomenon that has no impact on climate systems.

What is positive feedback in climate change?

• A process that decreases change and slows down the rate of change.

• A mechanism that increases change and accelerates the rate of change, such as the release of methane gas due to thawing permafrost.

• A phenomenon that has no impact on climate change.

• A method to stabilize climate conditions by reducing greenhouse gases.

What is a feedback mechanism in the context of climate change?

• A process that only accelerates changes in the climate system.

• A process within a system where a change can be either accelerated or slowed down and stabilized.

• A method to eliminate all climate change effects.

• A technique used to measure climate change impacts.

What is Earth's global energy balance?

• The equilibrium between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation over a one-year period.

• The total amount of energy produced by Earth's core.

• The balance of energy between the atmosphere and the oceans.

• The measurement of solar energy received by Earth in a day.

How do changes in terrestrial albedo act as feedback loops?

• They have no significant impact on climate change.

• They can act as positive feedback loops by exposing darker surfaces that absorb more heat.

• They only affect oceanic albedo, not terrestrial surfaces.

• They lead to a decrease in global temperatures.

What is albedo?

• The temperature of a surface

• The reflectivity of a surface

• The color of a surface

• The texture of a surface