The albedo effect refers to how much sunlight (solar radiation) a surface reflects back into space instead of absorbing. It plays a crucial role in Earth’s climate system . Key Idea Albedo is a measure of reflectivity , expressed as a fraction or percentage. High albedo: More reflection, less absorption (e.g., snow, ice). Low albedo: Less reflection, more absorption (e.g., oceans, forests, asphalt). Example: Typical Albedo Values Surface Type Approx. Albedo Fresh snow 0.