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Earth Darkening: Northern Hemisphere Absorbs More Solar Energy

10/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

NASA's Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) project finds Earth is darkening, absorbing more solar radiation than before.
The northern hemisphere traps 0.54 W/m² more energy per decade than the southern hemisphere, breaking long-standing albedo symmetry.
Reduced reflective aerosols from air pollution and darker surfaces from melting snow drive the change, accelerating warming.

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Story summary

NASA's Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) project finds Earth is darkening, absorbing more solar radiation than before.
The northern hemisphere traps 0.54 W/m² more energy per decade than the southern hemisphere, breaking long-standing albedo symmetry.
Reduced reflective aerosols from air pollution and darker surfaces from melting snow drive the change, accelerating warming.