Climate Change Feedbacks
Climate feedbacks are processes that either amplify or reduce initial climate forcing. Positive feedbacks amplify warming (creating vicious cycles), while negative feedbacks reduce warming (creating stabilizing cycles). Multiple positive feedbacks operating simultaneously make climate change potentially runaway.
Real World
The rapid loss of Arctic sea ice since the 1980s has exposed dark ocean water that absorbs up to 94% of solar radiation (compared to ice reflecting 80%), accelerating warming in the Arctic at roughly four times the global average rate.
Exam Focus
When asked to 'explain' feedbacks, always state the initial trigger, the amplifying process, and the resulting further warming — three linked steps.
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