Earth's Albedo and Global Warming

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  This material could be used as homework or as discussion fodder.
• About the Science
  This interactive activity allows students to learn about how materials, such as snow, ice, and water, differ in their ability to reflect and absorb the sun's energy and how melting polar ice creates a positive feedback loop that accelerates global warming. Students investigate how the presence of pollution, such as soot, lowers the albedo of ice and further increases melting. In addition, they observe the decline in Arctic sea ice cover from 1979â2007 and the effect of melting ice on sea levels. Sea ice has further declined since this resource was produced. For updated conditions, visit the [link https://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/ 'Arctic Sea Ice News'] page from the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Comments from expert scientist: Gives a good clear overview of albedo, and importantly, the ice albedo feedback. Nicely steps from basic concept of albedo, to role of albedo in the climate system.
• About the Pedagogy
  This interactive visualization is an effective tool that could be used in a discussion or as homework. While not a very dynamic presentation, the visualization is effective.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  Images and text are courtesy of NASA/USGS, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Scientific Visualization Studio, and National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). The visualization is downloadable (size = 43 MB). Background essay and discussion questions are provided.