Last year marked the warmest year on record, attributed mainly to the greenhouse effect and the El Niño weather phenomenon. However, scientists from the journal Science have identified clouds as the missing factor in this significant temperature rise.
The rapid warming was intensified by a lack of low-lying clouds over the oceans, which caused the Earth to absorb more sunlight due to decreased reflection. This phenomenon, known as ‘albedo,’ has been declining since the 1970s, partly due to melting snow and sea ice, and now also because of reduced cloud cover.
While the study highlights the decrease in cloud formation, it does not fully explain its cause. Climate scientist Helge Goessling, speaking to CNN, suggests it could be a complex mix of factors, including natural climate variability and possibly the warming of the Earth itself.
This may create a vicious cycle where fewer clouds lead to more warming, which in turn reduces cloud formation further. This could mean that current warming predictions are underestimated, indicating an intense warming future.
Source: NOS