By: Shelby, Roman, and Loryn

 A. Climate variables  B. Elements controlling the greenhouse effect  C. Energy sources  D. Precipitation levels  E. Human contributors  F. Factors inhibiting normal weather patterns

 A. Climate variables  B. Elements controlling the greenhouse effect  C. Energy sources  D. Precipitation levels  E. Human contributors  F. Factors inhibiting normal weather patterns

 “Feedbacks are interactions between climate variables such as temperature, precipitation, and vegetation and elements that control the greenhouse effect, such as clouds and albedo.”  (albedo: reflectivity- or the extent to which something reflects light from the sun)

 “Positive feedbacks amplify temperature change by making the greenhouse effect stronger or by reducing albedo, so they make the climate system more sensitive to the properties that trigger them.”  In other words, Positive feedback enhances the greenhouse effect, which raises temperature.

 “Negative feedbacks have a dampening effect on temperature change, making the climate system less sensitive to the factors that trigger them.”  Simply, negative feedback makes the environment less susceptible to the greenhouse effect-- lowering temperatures.

 Water Vapor Feedback  “The atmosphere can hold increasing amounts of water vapor as the temperature rises, because the pressure of water vapor in equilibrium with liquid water increases exponentially with temperature. The presence of more water vapor as temperature rises increases the greenhouse effect, as well as the absorption of solar radiation, which further raises temperature.”  Cloud Feedback on Terrestrial Radiation  Because warmer temperatures increase water vapor amounts, they can increase cloudiness and further raise temperature.  Ice- albedo Feedback on Solar Radiation  Rising temperatures cause polar glaciers and floating ice sheets to recede, decreasing Earth's albedo and raising temperatures. It can work in both directions, helping ice sheets to advance as Earth cools and accelerating the retreat of ice sheets during warming periods.

 Vegetation Feedback on Solar Radiation  “As temperatures rise, deserts may expand, increasing Earth's albedo and decreasing temperature. This is a very complex feedback. It is uncertain whether deserts will expand, or conversely, whether higher CO 2 levels might stimulate higher plant growth levels and increase vegetation instead of reducing it. ”  Cloud Feedback on Solar Radiation  “As temperature increases and atmospheric water vapor levels rise, cloudiness may increase. Greater cloudiness raises Earth's albedo, reflecting an increasing fraction of solar radiation back into space and decreasing temperature.”

Cumulus clouds are denser thus increasing the earth’s alebedo. Less solar radiation is reflected with cirrus clouds therefore increasing the Greenhouse Effect.

 Which feedbacks are positive and which are negative?  Cloud feedback on solar radiation  Cloud feedback on terrestrial radiation  Vegetation feedback on solar radiation  Ice-albedo feedback on solar radiation  Water vapor feedback

 Cloud feedback on solar radiation  Negative  Cloud feedback on terrestrial radiation  Postive  Vegetation feedback on solar radiation  Negative  Ice-albedo feedback on solar radiation  Positive  Water vapor feedback  Positive