Describe how albedo affects the Earth's surface temperature and its climate.

Albedo is defined as the fraction of solar radiation reflected by a surface. Albedo affects the Earth's surface temperature and its climate in the following ways:

(1) Effect on Surface Temperature: Different surfaces on the Earth have different albedo values, which directly influence local and regional temperatures. For example:

• Snow and ice have a high albedo (0.80–0.90), reflecting most of the incoming solar radiation. This is why polar regions remain extremely cold; they absorb very little solar energy.

• Oceans and dark soils have low albedo. They absorb a large proportion of solar radiation, making these surfaces significantly warmer.

(2) Effect on Climate: Albedo plays an important role in maintaining the Earth's energy balance. Polar ice caps reflect a large amount of sunlight back into space, which helps keep the Earth cool. However, due to climate change, ice and snow are melting. The darker land and ocean water exposed after melting absorb more solar radiation and become warmer.

This creates a positive feedback loop i.e., less ice means lower albedo, which causes more warming, and this additional warming melts even more ice. This process is known as the ice-albedo feedback.

Thus, albedo not only determines local temperatures but also exerts a profound influence on global climate patterns, ocean currents, atmospheric circulation, and the overall energy balance of the Earth.