Feedback loops are the interactions among the Earth's five spheres that either reinforce or negate changes in climate.

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Feedback loops play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system, as they can either amplify or dampen the effects of natural or human-induced changes. These loops involve complex interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere, and can have both positive (reinforcing) and negative (negating) effects on climate. Some examples of positive feedbacks include melting sea ice, which exposes darker ocean water that absorbs more sunlight and warms up even faster; or thawing permafrost, which releases large amounts of greenhouse gases that further contribute to warming. On the other hand, negative feedbacks can include processes like carbon uptake by plants or oceanic circulation that help regulate the global carbon cycle and temperature. Overall, understanding feedback loops is crucial for predicting and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Feedback Loops Are the Interactions Among the Earth's Five Spheres