The earth turns yellow! Over 20 years, its reflectance has decreased by 0.5%, or the equivalent of less than half a watt of light per square meter. Big Bear Solar Observatory’s Philip R. A study by Goode reveals this, using satellite data and looking at the amount of terrestrial light reflected on the Moon. This unexpected drop in light can further accelerate the rise in temperature, which is itself responsible for this state.

Acceleration in the last three years

Our planet sends about 30% of the sunlight it receives back into space, which defines its albedo, which corresponds to a number between 0 and 1. But this quantity has been decreasing according to measurements taken between 1998 and 2017. In last 3 years. Two factors can affect the amount of light returned by Earth: fluctuations in the amount of light it receives and therefore changes in the Sun’s luminosity or its reflectivity. According to the results of a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Papers, the changes in Earth’s albedo observed by the researchers are not related to periodic changes in the Sun’s brightness, meaning they are caused by something on Earth.

In particular, climate scientists have observed a decrease in the bright, reflective low clouds over the eastern Pacific Ocean in recent years. Their quantity has been assessed by satellites as part of NASA’s CERES (Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System) project. In this region along the western coasts of North and South America, surface water temperatures are rising due to a reversal of a climate phenomenon called the Decadal Pacific Oscillation (PDO), which is possibly linked to global climate change.

vicious circle

The Earth turns black if viewed from space, the difference is played to a whole new level for its occupants, and this is undoubtedly the most serious. Indeed, we can also explain this decrease in albedo as an increase in the solar energy captured by the Earth’s climate system. The amount of light that is no longer reflected is an energy benefit to the atmosphere and oceans, which may contribute to rising temperatures. In fact, according to the study, the amount of solar energy captured additionally over the past 20 years corresponds to anthropogenic impacts on the climate. “it’s really quite disturbingEdward Schwetterman of the University of California at Riverside, who was not involved in this new study, said in a statement. For some time, many scientists hoped that a warmer Earth could lead to an increase in clouds and albedo, which would help moderate warming and balance the climate system, he said.But this study shows that the opposite is true.“.