Climate & Atmosphere
Long-term weather patterns in an area
climate
A fuel formed from ancient plants and animals
fossil fuel
The chemical formula for carbon dioxide
CO₂
Frozen rivers of ice found on land
glaciers
Cutting down large areas of trees
deforestation
The layer of gases surrounding Earth
atmosphere
A black rock burned for energy
coal
A greenhouse gas released by livestock (cows) and landfills
methane
Rising ocean height caused by melting ice and warming water
sea level rise
A human activity that releases carbon dioxide through cars, trucks, and planes
transportation
Gasses that traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere
greenhouse gasses
Energy sources that can naturally be replaced
renewable energy
The process where extra carbon dioxide dissolves into ocean water
ocean acidification
Tree growth patterns that can show past climate conditions
tree rings
A food choice that often has a lower carbon footprint than eating meat
vegetarian diet
The natural process that keeps Earth warm enough for life
greenhouse effect
The time period when machines and factories greatly increased fossil fuel use
Industrial Revolution
A unit used to measure tiny amounts of gases in the atmosphere
ppm
Scientists drill into these to study ancient air bubbles
ice cores
The industry responsible for the greatest amount of C02 emissions
agriculture
The two most common gases in Earth’s atmosphere
nitrogen and oxygen
Name the following types of power:
Energy from moving water
Energy from the sun
Energy from moving air
Hydropower
Solar power
Wind power
The three forms of fossil fuels
Sea levels have risen to this much in the past 100 years
7 inches
the amount of greenhouse gases a person or activity creates
carbon footprint