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100

The increase in surface temperatures, both surface air and surface water, as a part of global climate change

Global Warming

100

The energy possessed by an object due to the motion of its atoms or molecules

Thermal Energy

100

When Earth absorbs solar radiation and radiates thermal energy back towards space.  Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and release some of that radiated thermal energy back towards Earth’s surface.  This process creates a higher concentration of thermal energy at the Earth’s surface, increasing the Earth’s mean surface temperature

Greenhouse Effect

100

Sets of interrelated components and processes, such as the biosphere, and atmosphere

Earth Systems

100

 natural carbon-based fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas) formed over millions of years from the remains of living organisms

Fossil Fuels

100

Any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other words, major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, that typically occur over several decades or longer

Global Climate Change

100

The energy emitted from the Sun that travels through space to reach Earth

Solar Radiation

100

A period of relative cooling on Earth, between approximately 1300-1850

Little Ice Age

100

actions (relevant to impacts on Earth’s climate) which include behaviors and uses of technology; this would also include population growth

Human Activities

100

a natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates or stores carbon

Net Sink

100

A collection of objects that interact and/or influence one another

System

100

The average of the near-surface air temperature and the sea surface temperature

Mean Surface Temperature

100

Phenomena produced by nature rather than humans

Natural Processes

100

the way that people live and work, such as choices in transportation, recreation, housing, the amount of technology used, and energy usage

Behavior

100

The speed at which a process occurs

Rate of Change

100

The parts (matter or energy) that enter the system from the outside

Inputs

100

A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect.  The atoms of a greenhouse gas molecule vibrate when they absorb thermal energy.  The vibrating molecules then radiate thermal energy, some of which travels back towards Earth’s surface; e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O)

Greenhouse Gas

100

Emission of energy from the sun

Solar Activity

100

physical devices such as electric vs gas-powered cars, electrical power generation, and practices such as methods of agriculture (irrigation, use of fertilizers) or manufacturing (plastics), reforestation programs

Technologies

100

A relatively slow rate of change, or a change occurring over a relatively long time period

Gradual

100

The parts (matter or energy) that leave the system

Outputs

100

The mixture of gases that surrounds the planet’s surface

Atmosphere

100

The eruption of gases and particles, both as gradual emissions and sudden explosions, of Earth’s volcanoes

Volcanic Activity

100

the output of greenhouse gases by an energy source (such as coal or oil generators), a device (such as a car) or practice (such as ranching or farming)

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

100

A relatively rapid rate of change, or a change occurring over a relatively short time period

Sudden

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