Liezyl Jane E.

Abato GE-CCC TTH 4:30-6:00 PM

BS Biology – 2 Sir Val Salares

Figure 1. 1. Timelines and People

Figure 2.
2. Getting to Know Atmospheric Gases

• How would Earth's temperature change if the

albedo was higher or lower?

Higher Albedo (More Reflective):

Figure 3. Higher Albedo; Albedo - 75%; Solar Brightness - 100%; Temperature - -73°C.
From: https://scied.ucar.edu/interactive/albedo-brightness
3. Reflectivity/ Absorption of Sun's Rays
Changes in Earth's albedo, which is the measure of its
reflectivity, can indeed impact the planet's
temperature. If the albedo were higher, meaning that
more sunlight gets reflected back into space. With
less heat being absorbed, the Earth's surface
temperature would decrease and could lead to cooler
global temperature. In the figure on the left, given the
brightness of the sun is 100% and the planetary
albedo is 75%, we could observe that the perceived
earth temperature is -73°C which is a cool
temperature.
 Liezyl Jane E. Abato GE-CCC TTH 4:30-6:00 PM
BS Biology – 2 Sir Val Salares

Lower Albedo (Less Reflective):

Figure 4. Lower Albedo; Albedo – 4%; Solar Brightness - 100%; Temperature - 7°C.
From: https://scied.ucar.edu/interactive/albedo-brightness
Conversely, if the albedo were lower, meaning that
more sunlight gets absorbed by the Earth's surface,
the temperature would likely increase. We could
observe in the diagram that decreasing the albedo
from 75% to 4% increases the temperature from
-73°C to 7°C. This is because albedo plays a significant
role in the energy balance between incoming solar
radiation and outgoing heat. Higher albedo leads to
less solar energy being absorbed, resulting in a cooler
climate, while lower albedo leads to more energy
being absorbed, resulting in a warmer climate.

• How would Earth's temperature change if the Sun was

brighter or dimmer?

Brighter Sun (Increase Solar Irradiance):

A brighter sun emits more solar radiation which includes

visible light and heat, therefore, increase in energy would
cause an increase in the Earth's surface temperature. With
that we will experience a warmer effect due to the solar
energy being absorbed by the earth with more heat trapped
in the earth's system thus, will likely lead to global warming.
Moreover, if the sun is brighter, it would aggravate the effects
of climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Figure 5. Brighter Sun; Solar Brightness – 1500 W m-2; Albedo – 10% Temperature - 4°C.
From: https://scied.ucar.edu/interactive/albedo-brightness

Dimmer Sun (Decreased Solar Irradiance):

On the other hand, if the Sun were to become dimmer,

emitting less energy, it would have a cooling effect on earth.
This is due to the sun emitting less solar radiation, reducing
energy input, and the Earth's surface would receive less heat.
Thus, the Earth would absorb less solar energy leading to the
decrease in surface temperature potentially resulting in a
cooling effect on Earth. Moreover, a dimmer Sun would
partially counteract the effect of climate change caused by
the greenhouse gas emissions.
Figure 5. Dimmer Sun; Solar Brightness – 905 W m-2; Albedo – 31% Temperature - -44°C.
From: https://scied.ucar.edu/interactive/albedo-brightness

• Today climate is warming because of extra greenhouse gases. As warmer temperatures melt ice, how will that change
the albedo and temperature?
The warming climate, driven by increased greenhouse gases, is causing the melting of ice, which will reduce the Earth's
albedo as reflective ice turns into darker surfaces. This decreased albedo means more solar energy is absorbed, further
raising temperatures in a self-reinforcing feedback loop, contributing to global warming, sea level rise, and other climate
impacts.