Why Does White Ice Help Cool the Planet?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does white ice help cool the planet?

The Big Idea

White ice works like a giant mirror for the planet! Bright snow and ice reflect most of the sunlight that hits them, like a mirror does. That sends the heat back into space.

Bright Reflects

Step one: bright things reflect. Fresh snow and white ice bounce most sunlight back toward space. Very little of that light turns into heat, so snowy places stay cold even in bright sunshine.

Dark Absorbs

Step two: dark things absorb. Dark ocean water and bare ground soak up much more sunlight. That energy warms them up, and the heat spreads to the air around them.

Albedo

Step three: albedo. Scientists call this reflectiveness albedo. Polar ice has a high albedo, which acts like a big mirror to help keep Earth cooler.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! White snow bounces most of the sunlight away. Dark ocean water soaks it in. Sunlight brings the same energy to both, but they treat it very differently. Ice helps keep the planet cooler.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Fresh snow reflects up to about 90 percent of sunlight. Dark ocean water reflects much less, and soaks up the heat instead. That is why a black shirt feels hotter than a white one. Never look straight at the Sun, and wear sunglasses on bright snow.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Lay a white shirt and a black shirt in the sunshine for ten minutes. With a grown-up, feel both with the back of your hand. Which is warmer? Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

White ice reflects sunlight and helps keep Earth cooler. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!