Global Outlook for Ice & Snow

Low-latitude warming

Global coupling

L a t i t u d i n a l m o i s t u r e t r a n s p o r t

Increased shrub growth

High-latitude warming

Less sea ice

Earlier snowmelt

Terrestrial coupling

Marine coupling

Decreased albedo

Decreased albedo

Atmospheric heating

Increased net radiation

Increased net radiation

Increased evaporation

Negative feedback

N e g a t i v e f e e d b a c k , r e d u c e s t h e e f f e c t

more summer clouds

Figure 3.6: Feedbacks. This conceptual diagram illustrates the connectivity of the positive ice/snow albedo feedback, terrestrial snow and vegetation feedbacks and the negative cloud/radiation feedback. Source: based on Chapin III and others 2005 17

CHAPTER 3

WHY ARE ICE AND SNOW CHANGING?

37