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Ecosystem
A natural community of plants, animals, and other organisms and the physical environment in which they live and interact.
Habitat
The place in the environment where a plant or animal lives.
Atmosphere
A mixture of gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, that surrounds the Earth.
Weather
The current conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation.
Precipitation
Any moisture that falls to Earth, such as rain, snow, hail, sleet, or mist.
Climate
The pattern of weather over a long period of time.
Global Climate
The average climate of the entire Earth.
Climate Change
A significant change in the climate over time.
Fossil Fuel
An energy-rich substance created from dead plant and animal material trapped between layers of rock.
Coal
A dark-colored rock mined from the Earth’s surface that can be burned to create energy.
Oil
A dark-colored liquid that can be refined into gasoline, diesel, asphalt, and plastics.
Natural Gas
An odorless, colorless gas found in the Earth.
Greenhouse Gas
A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere; examples include carbon dioxide and methane.
Water Vapor
Water present in the atmosphere as gas and an example of a greenhouse gas.
Carbon Dioxide
A colorless, odorless gas released from burning fossil fuels.
Methane
A colorless, odorless gas produced from decaying plants and animals.
Ozone
A gas made up of three atoms of oxygen that protects the Earth's surface from ultraviolet radiation.
Ultraviolet Radiation
Invisible radiation from the sun that can cause sunburn and skin cancer.
Greenhouse Effect
The process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
Global Warming
The gradual increase in Earth's temperature due to greenhouse gas accumulation.
Adaptation
Human actions that respond to climate change to minimize its effects.
Mitigation
Actions taken to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases released by an individual or organization each year.
Renewable Resource
A natural resource that can be regrown or produced as fast as it is being used.
Extreme Weather Event
Severe weather such as a blizzard or tornado.
Drought
A period of unusually dry weather causing water shortages.
Infectious Disease
An illness caused by organisms that enter and grow in the human body.
Invasive Species
A non-native organism introduced into an environment, often harming native species.
Pollutant
A substance that contaminates the air or water.
Allergen
A substance that causes allergies.
Asthma
A disease that affects the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe.
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