Some Climate-Change Feedback Mechanisms

Name

Nature (+/-)

Description

Vapor-temperature rise

+

 Higher T Þ Atmospheric H2O vapor ↑ Þ greenhouse effect ↑ Þ T

Snow-albedo feedback

+

 Higher T Þ snow/ice reduction Þ albedo ↓ Þ T

Cloud-temperature feedback

-

 Higher T Þ H2O vapor ↑ Þ cloud cover ↑ Þ T

Sea level-temperature feedback

-

 Higher T Þ snow/ice reduction Þ sea level ↑ Þ Arctic-Atlantic circulation ↑ Þ Arctic ice melt ↑ Þ Northern snowfall ↑ Þ T

Maritime CO2 feedback

+

 Higher T Þ warmer seas Þ less ability for seas to hold dissolved CO2
 
Þ more atmospheric CO2 Þ greenhouse effect ↑ Þ T