Earth's Albedo is largely affected by the:

Key Points

• Cloudiness significantly affects Earth's albedo by reflecting sunlight back into space.
• Earth's albedo is a measure of how much sunlight is reflected by the Earth's surface and atmosphere.
• High albedo surfaces such as clouds and ice reflect more sunlight, whereas low albedo surfaces like forests and oceans absorb more sunlight.
• Changes in cloud cover can lead to variations in Earth's energy balance and climate.

Additional Information

• Albedo is a dimensionless quantity that indicates how well a surface reflects solar energy.
• The average albedo of Earth is approximately 0.3, meaning 30% of the sunlight is reflected back into space.
• Factors like snow cover, vegetation, and human activities also influence Earth's albedo.
• Monitoring albedo changes is crucial for understanding and predicting climate change.