ScienceJuly 17, 2026
albedo
/ælˈbiːdoʊ/
Definition
The proportion of sunlight or radiation that is reflected by a surface, such as the Earth's atmosphere or surface.
Etymology
The word comes from the Latin 'albedo', meaning 'whiteness', which is derived from the adjective 'albus' meaning 'white'. It entered English in the late 19th century as a scientific term for reflectivity.
In the news
In the article, the author explains that a decrease in Earth's albedo means the planet is reflecting less sunlight back into space, which contributes to global warming.
The Climate Issue newsletter: The dangers of global dimming
Read the full article ↗The Economist