Diminishing Low Clouds Linked to 2023's Record Heat Surge

A study by German scientists suggests that the Earth is absorbing more sunlight due to reduced cloud cover, contributing to accelerated global warming. In 2023, a record energy imbalance was observed, with decreased albedo, or reflectivity, largely due to a decline in low-level clouds over northern mid-latitude and tropical oceans. This phenomenon may indicate a feedback loop where rising temperatures reduce cloud cover, further enhancing warming. The findings imply that future climate sensitivity could be higher than current estimates, emphasizing the urgency to understand these changes.