October 2, 2025
Web desk
New research from NASA has revealed a worrying trend: Earth is reflecting less sunlight back into space than it did two decades ago, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
A team led by Dr. Norman G. Loeb at NASA’s Langley Research Center analyzed 24 years of satellite observations, measuring changes in solar radiation, albedo (Earth’s reflectivity), and the planet’s overall radiation balance. The findings show a clear decline in reflectivity since 2001.
On average, Earth’s absorption of solar radiation has increased by 0.83 watts per square meter per decade. The Northern Hemisphere is the hardest hit, taking in an additional 0.34 watts per square meter. Even after accounting for redistribution through air and ocean currents, the planet still shows a net gain of 0.21 watts per square meter per decade.
Scientists warn that this shift could have serious implications. With less sunlight reflected, more heat is absorbed by oceans and land, adding to the global warming already driven by greenhouse gases. Reduced cloud cover, shrinking ice, and changes in aerosols are all believed to contribute to this decline in Earth’s reflectivity.
“This isn’t just a small fluctuation,” Dr. Loeb explained in earlier reports. “We’re seeing a long-term trend that adds extra energy into the climate system, and that’s something we need to pay attention to.”
Experts caution that this dimming effect may accelerate feedback loops, such as the melting of Arctic ice and shifts in global weather patterns, potentially making climate change impacts more severe than models currently predict.
