Planet’s reflective cloud coverage is shrinking - and amplifying the climate crisis, research finds

Clouds can both reflect the sun’s energy back out into space as well as help the planet retain heat. Photograph: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Scientists have detected a shrinking in the areas of the planet’s clouds that help reflect the sun’s energy back into space which is amplifying the buildup of extra heat on the planet caused by the climate crisis.

The results of the research could be a major clue to the cause of a pronounced spike in global temperatures in 2023 and 2024 that broke records and both baffled and shocked scientists.