Climate Change → Positive Feedback Loop

What is a positive feedback loop?

A positive feedback loop is a system in which an output acts as an input into the same system to push the system further in one direction.

 Decreasing ice levels creates a positive feedback loop. As temperatures increase, ice levels decrease. Because ice reflects the sun's rays, less ice means that Earth's surface absorbs more heat, thus raising temperatures even more.

Increased atmospheric temperatures increases ocean surface water temperatures, which decreases its carbon solubility. This will cause larger amounts of carbon to be transfered from the ocean in the atmosphere, thus increasing temperatures and creating a positive feedback loop.

Increased temperatures could create a positive feedback loop in areas such as bogs and peat-lands by causing them to emit higher levels of methane. Because methane is a potent greenhouse gas, tthis will cause temperatures to increase even more.

 Humans also play a role in the positive feedback loop of global climate change. At this rate as temperatures increase, so will fossil fuel consumption. Not only will humans use more energy running air conditioners, but agriculture will become more difficult and will require the use of more fuels.