PHOTO CAPTION: Dark clouds around the Arctic region. Photo: Alfred-Wegener-Institut / Frank Rödel.
BERLIN, THENUSANTARAPOST – The year 2023 recorded several shocking records related to global warming, including the rise in global average temperatures nearly reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
New research from the Alfred Wegener Institute has revealed a potential cause of this sudden temperature spike: the reduction of low clouds, which limits the Earth’s ability to reflect solar radiation.
According to the study published in the journal Science, the planet’s albedo—the percentage of solar radiation reflected back into space—has reached its lowest level since 1940. Low clouds, which typically play a significant role in reflecting sunlight, have decreased significantly, particularly in the North Atlantic and tropical regions. “Without the reduction in albedo since December 2020, the average temperature of 2023 should have been about 0.23°C lower,” said Dr. Helge Goessling, the lead researcher (12/09/2024).
Impact of Decreasing Low Clouds
The reduction in low clouds not only decreases the cooling effect from reflected sunlight but also fails to provide the warming effect that high clouds have, which trap heat radiation in the atmosphere.
Researchers note that the decrease in low clouds may be caused by a reduction in human-made aerosols in the atmosphere, resulting from stricter regulations on ship fuels. Aerosols play an essential role in cloud formation and also help reflect sunlight.
“If this reduction in low clouds is primarily due to feedback between global warming and clouds, we may face much more intense warming in the future,” added Goessling.
Implications for Climate Change
These findings serve as a strong warning regarding global climate targets. If global warming continues to accelerate, the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement may be surpassed more quickly than previously anticipated. This reduces the time available to cut carbon emissions and increases the urgency to adapt to future extreme weather impacts.
With the situation growing increasingly concerning, stronger international collaboration is needed to prevent worse outcomes for our planet. The study also highlights the importance of monitoring changes in low clouds as a critical indicator in understanding the dynamics of global warming. (Marwan Aziz)
