Final answer:
The Earth's albedo is altered by changes in cloud cover, ice cover, and land use, affecting how much solar energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface and contributing to climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Earth's albedo can be altered over a geologically short period of time due to rapid changes in the amount of cloud cover, ice cover, and land use. Albedo is the term used by scientists to describe the reflectivity of a surface; it reflects the amount of solar radiation that is not absorbed but instead reflected back into space. Light-colored objects and surfaces, like snow and clouds, tend to reflect most sunlight, while darker objects and surfaces, like oceans and forests, tend to absorb more sunlight. These changes in albedo affect how much energy enters Earth's system. For instance, if the Antarctic ice sheet were to melt, there would be a decrease in albedo, leading to an increase in absorbed solar radiation that would further aggravate global climate change. Additionally, human activities such as deforestation and urbanization, as well as the presence of aerosols like volcanic particles or black carbon from combustion, can also lead to significant changes in the Earth's albedo.