Approximately 70% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space by snow and ice. This is because snow and ice have a high albedo, which is the fraction of incident radiation that is reflected. The albedo of snow is typically between 0.8 and 0.9, while the albedo of ice is typically between 0.6 and 0.8. This means that snow and ice reflect a large portion of the sunlight that hits them, preventing it from being absorbed by the Earth's surface and atmosphere.

About 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space by clouds, atmospheric particles, and bright ground surfaces like sea ice and snow. This energy plays no role in Earth's climate system.

Here's a breakdown of how incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space:

• Clouds: 19%
• Snow and ice: 7%
• Atmospheric particles: 4%

The remaining 70% of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface and atmosphere. This energy heats the Earth and drives its climate system.

The reflection of solar radiation by snow and ice is an important part of the Earth's energy balance. Without this reflection, the Earth would be much hotter. In fact, it is estimated that the reflection of solar radiation by snow and ice prevents the Earth's temperature from rising by about 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

The reflection of solar radiation by snow and ice is also important for the global water cycle. When snow and ice reflect solar radiation, they cool the surface and atmosphere, which can lead to the formation of clouds and precipitation. This precipitation is essential for replenishing water supplies and supporting ecosystems.

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Snow-covered surfaces on the ice sheet reflect 80% of insolation back to space, while snow-free surfaces have lower albedo. Bare ice has an albedo of about 40% and even lower albedo if summer meltwater pools are standing on the surface. The darker ocean reflects only 6 percent of the sun's energy and absorbs the rest, while sea ice reflects 50 to 70 percent of the incoming energy. Snow has an even higher ability to reflect solar energy than sea ice. Snow-covered sea ice reflects as much as 90 percent of the incoming solar radiation. Snow and ice can reflect 50- 90% of incoming sunlight. As the Earth's average temperature rises, snow and ice cover decreases, increasing the amount sunlight being absorbed, and further contributing to global warming. The solar radiation that passes through Earth's atmosphere is either reflected off snow, ice, or other surfaces or is absorbed by the Earth's surface. Because of their light color, snow and ice also reflect more sunlight than open water or bare ground, so a reduction in snow cover and ice causes the Earth's surface to absorb more energy from the sun and become warmer. Of the incoming solar radiation that hits the boundary between the Earth's atmosphere and outer space, about 30% is reflected back to space by atmospheric clouds and the Earth's surface, 25% is absorbed by the atmosphere and reradiated back to space, and 45% is absorbed by the surface of land and ocean. About 29 percent of the solar energy that arrives at the top of the atmosphere is reflected back to space by clouds, atmospheric particles, or bright ground surfaces like sea ice and snow. This energy plays no role in Earth's climate system. Snow, ice, and clouds have high albedos (typically from 0.7 to 0.9) and reflect more energy than they absorb. Earth's average albedo is about 0.3. In other words, about 30 percent of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space and 70 percent is absorbed. Most of Earth's energy comes from the Sun. Snow and ice can reflect 50- 90% of incoming sunlight. As the Earth's average temperature rises, snow and ice cover decreases, increasing the amount sunlight being absorbed, and further contributing to global warming. Cloud cover can be highly variable in space and time. Combining together the percentages of incoming energy absorbed (18%) and scattered (26%) by the atmosphere plus clouds, the overall effect is that nearly half (18% + 26% = 44%) of the energy entering the atmosphere doesn't make it through to Earth's surface.