Environmental Science
How Land Surface Albedo Shapes Regional Climate
Quick fact
Dark forests absorb up to 90% of incoming sunlight, while fresh snow reflects over 80%—meaning two adjacent landscapes can differ in local temperature by several degrees just because of their color.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever noticed how a black car heats up more in the sun than a white one? The same principle applies to entire landscapes—and it can change a region's climate.