What Are Climate Feedbacks?
Climate feedbacks are processes that can either amplify or reduce the effects of climate change. They are an important part of the Earth’s climate system and play a crucial role in determining how quickly global temperatures rise. Climate feedbacks can be either positive or negative, depending on the effect they have on the climate.
Positive Climate Feedbacks
Positive feedbacks occur when a process amplifies the effects of climate change. For example, as the Earth’s surface temperature rises, more water evaporates from the oceans. This, in turn, causes more water vapor to enter the atmosphere, which is a potent greenhouse gas. This amplifies the warming from the initial increase in temperature, resulting in a positive feedback loop. Other examples of positive feedbacks include the melting of permafrost and the release of methane from the ocean.
Negative Climate Feedbacks
Negative feedbacks occur when a process reduces the effects of climate change. For example, as the Earth’s surface temperature rises, more clouds form in the atmosphere. These clouds act like a blanket, reflecting some of the incoming solar radiation back into space and cooling the surface. This is an example of a negative feedback, as it reduces the amount of warming caused by the initial increase in temperature. Other examples of negative feedbacks include the uptake of carbon dioxide by the oceans and the increasing reflectivity of snow and ice.
Conclusion
Climate feedbacks are an important component of the Earth’s climate system. They can either amplify or reduce the effects of climate change, depending on whether they are positive or negative. Understanding climate feedbacks is essential for predicting how climate change will progress in the future.
Kyle Whyte is a notable scholar and professor at the University of Michigan, holding positions such as the George Willis Pack Professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability and Professor of Philosophy. Specializing in environmental justice, his work critically examines climate policy and Indigenous peoples’ ethics, emphasizing the nexus between cooperative scientific endeavors and Indigenous justice. As an enrolled Citizen Potawatomi Nation member, he brings a vital perspective to his roles as a U.S. Science Envoy and member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. His influential research is supported by various prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation, and disseminated through publications in high-impact journals. Kyle actively contributes to global Indigenous research methodologies and education, with affiliations to numerous institutes and societies dedicated to traditional knowledge and sustainability. Recognized for his academic and community engagement, Kyle has earned multiple awards and served in various visiting professorships. His efforts extend to leadership positions on boards and committees focused on environmental justice nationwide.