Cloud negative forcing causes cooling of the atmosphere.Cloud positive forcing causes warming of the atmosphere.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is because clouds can reflect or absorb incoming solar radiation, which leads to net cooling or warming of the atmosphere. Generally, low and thick clouds have a cooling effect (negative forcing) because they reflect more solar radiation back to space than they absorb, while high and thin clouds have a warming effect (positive forcing) because they absorb more solar radiation than they reflect back to space. However, the exact impact of clouds on the Earth's climate is complex and depends on various factors, such as the altitude and composition of the clouds, the season and location, and the underlying surface conditions.

Cloud Negative Forcing Causes Cooling of the Atmosphere