Which feedback loop can amplify the effects of global warming?a.Feedback inhibitionb.Positive feedbackc.Albedo feedbackd.Negative feedback

Breakdown the Problem

1. Identify the options related to feedback loops in environmental science.
2. Understand how each type of feedback loop operates within the context of global warming.

Relevant Concepts

1. Feedback Inhibition: Generally refers to a process where the product of a reaction inhibits its own production.
2. Positive Feedback: A feedback loop that enhances or amplifies changes; in the case of global warming, this results in increased temperature effects.
3. Albedo Feedback: Specifically refers to the decrease in reflectivity of the Earth's surface, resulting from melting ice, which leads to further warming.
4. Negative Feedback: A feedback loop that mitigates changes; in environmental contexts, it generally works to stabilize a system.

Analysis and Detail

1. Positive Feedback: In the context of global warming, positive feedback processes (like increased greenhouse gas emissions from warming, permafrost melt releasing methane, etc.) significantly amplify the effects of climate change.
2. Albedo Feedback: When ice melts due to warming, the Earth’s surface becomes less reflective (lower albedo), causing more solar energy to be absorbed and increasing temperatures further.

Verify and Summarize

• Both positive feedback and albedo feedback effectively amplify global warming. However, "positive feedback" is a broader term that encompasses various amplifying effects, including albedo feedback.

Final Answer

b. Positive feedback