QQ.1. Write short notes on the following:
- a.) Radiative Forcing (350 words)
- b.) "Cloud feedback" and "Lapse-rate feedback" (350 words)
- Radiative Forcing (RF) quantifies the change in Earth's energy balance (W/m²) due to external climate drivers.
- Positive RF (e.g., GHGs) causes warming; negative RF (e.g., aerosols) causes cooling.
- Cloud feedback describes how changes in clouds amplify or dampen climate change.
- Cloud feedback is complex and a major source of uncertainty, generally considered positive.
Answer: The Earth's climate system is a complex interplay of energy flows, with various factors influencing its overall temperature. Radiative forcing quantifies the initial perturbation to this energy balance, while climate feedbacks, such as cloud and lapse-rate feedback, describe how the system responds to and modifies this initial forcing. Understanding these concepts, as explored in MEV-021, is crucial for comprehending the drivers and consequences of climate change.