Understanding the interactions between Earth's climate system components and the effects of global warming on sea levels.
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[...] Climate and Feedbacks - How do different actors interact in the climate system? The Earth's climate system is composed of different elements (oceans, biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, cryosphere) interacting with each other. Problem: How do different actors interact in the climate system? Definitions: Banquise: extent of ice that forms on the surface of water mer by solidification of the first layers d'eau Continental Glacier: extent of ice that forms on the continent by accumulation of layers of snow Feedback: phenomenon by which an effect on the climate acts back on its causes in a way that can stabilize it (negative feedback) or amplify it (positive feedback). [...]
[...] 20/117 = 0.17 cm / year Albedo is the proportion of solar radiation reflected back into space solar radiation reflected). The value of albedo, ranging from 0 to 1 (or 0 to 100%) depends on the nature of the surface (continent, ocean, glacier) and vegetation cover. A surface with an albedo of 0 absorbs the entire power of the solar radiation it receives. Conversely, a surface with an albedo of 1 (or 100%) reflects the entire power of the solar radiation it receives. [...]
[...] Conclusion Fresh snow and ice have a high albedo (respectively 0.60 and 0.90). These surfaces reflect more solar radiation than they absorb. As the surface temperature of the Earth increases, the ice and snow melt. The surface beneath these ice and snow (land or ocean) has a lower albedo (between 0.05 and 0.10). Thus, this surface with a lower albedo will absorb more solar radiation than the ice. The increase in solar radiation absorption leads to an increase in surface temperature, which leads to the melting of the remaining ice and thus the acceleration of ice melting. [...]
[...] As water vapor is a greenhouse gas, this effect will amplify the increase in the average surface temperature of the Earth. - The increase in the average surface temperature of the Earth leads to the melting of glaciers. The areas previously covered by glaciers are replaced by the ocean or land. The ocean and land absorb solar radiation and warm up, which accelerates the melting of glaciers. - The increase in the average temperature leads to the partial thawing of permafrost (or permafrost), thus releasing a significant amount of carbon dioxide, methane, and water greenhouse gases) into the atmosphere. [...]
