Question

while scientists have been recording the presence on sea ice on earth, they have also made predictions involving the future of sea ice. according to this model, we expect sea ice in 2050 to be 54% of the volume in 1950 which is a decrease of almost one - half in approximately one hundred years. this decrease in sea ice has a direct effect of the albedo - the fraction of light that is reflected by a surface - of earths polar regions. how does the change in albedo influence the climate system on earth? choose three possible changes that scientists expect
since sea ice acts as an insulator, thin sea ice cannot efficiently insulate the ocean from the atmosphere. the arctic atmosphere would warm, which would influence the global circulation of the atmosphere.
less sea ice volume means an increase in the volume of ocean water. this in turn could cause a continued rise in sea levels throughout the earth.
less ice means less reflection of incoming energy. more heat energy is absorbed, causing more melting, which amplifies the warming.
less sea ice and warming temperatures cause extra moisture to evaporate in the atmosphere, resulting in more precipitation in other areas of the globe

Explanation:

• Sea ice acts as an insulator. Thin sea ice can't insulate the ocean from the atmosphere well. The Arctic atmosphere warming can influence global atmospheric circulation.
• Less sea ice means less reflection of incoming energy. More heat is absorbed, causing more melting (amplifying warming).
• Less sea ice and warming temperatures lead to extra moisture evaporation in the atmosphere, resulting in more precipitation in other areas.

Answer:

• Since sea ice acts as an insulator, thin sea ice cannot efficiently insulate the ocean from the atmosphere. The Arctic atmosphere would warm, which would influence the global circulation of the atmosphere.
• Less ice means less reflection of incoming energy. More heat energy is absorbed, causing more melting, which amplifies the warming.
• Less sea ice and warming temperatures cause extra moisture to evaporate in the atmosphere, resulting in more precipitation in other areas of the globe.