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The increase in surface temperatures, both surface air and surface water, as a part of global climate change
Global Warming
The energy possessed by an object due to the motion of its atoms or molecules
Thermal Energy
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
Sets of interrelated components and processes, such as the biosphere, and atmosphere
Earth Systems
natural carbon-based fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas) formed over millions of years from the remains of living organisms
Fossil Fuels
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
The energy emitted from the Sun that travels through space to reach Earth
Solar Radiation
A period of relative cooling on Earth, between approximately 1300-1850
Little Ice Age
actions (relevant to impacts on Earth’s climate) which include behaviors and uses of technology; this would also include population growth
Human Activities
a natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates or stores carbon
Net Sink
A collection of objects that interact and/or influence one another
System
The average of the near-surface air temperature and the sea surface temperature
Mean Surface Temperature
Phenomena produced by nature rather than humans
Natural Processes
the way that people live and work, such as choices in transportation, recreation, housing, the amount of technology used, and energy usage
Behavior
The speed at which a process occurs
Rate of Change
The parts (matter or energy) that enter the system from the outside
Inputs
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
Emission of energy from the sun
Solar Activity
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
A relatively slow rate of change, or a change occurring over a relatively long time period
Gradual
The parts (matter or energy) that leave the system
Outputs
The mixture of gases that surrounds the planet’s surface
Atmosphere
The eruption of gases and particles, both as gradual emissions and sudden explosions, of Earth’s volcanoes
Volcanic Activity
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
A relatively rapid rate of change, or a change occurring over a relatively short time period
Sudden