Which of the following is an example of positive feedback in the context of climate change?

AA warmer Earth radiates more infrared energy (heat) into space

BPlants remove carbon dioxide from the air

COceans remove carbon dioxide from the air

DMelting of snow and ice sheets results in reduced reflection of sunlight ✓ Correct

Correct answer: (D) Melting of snow and ice sheets results in reduced reflection of sunlight

Explanation

Melting snow and ice sheets uncover darker surfaces that reflect less sunlight, so more heat is absorbed and warming intensifies, a positive feedback.

A warmer Earth radiating more infrared into space releases heat and opposes warming, so it is negative feedback.

Plants removing carbon dioxide draw down a greenhouse gas and counter warming, a negative feedback.

Oceans absorbing carbon dioxide similarly lower a warming driver, again negative feedback.

Positive feedback reinforces the original change, while negative feedback damps it.

The ice-albedo feedback is a leading reason the polar regions warm faster than the global average.

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