Earth System Science

Hydrosphere

Total liquid sphere of the Earth.

Atmosphere

Layer of gases surrounding the Earth.

Lithosphere

Outermost, solid layer of Earth.

Biosphere

Encompasses all living things on Earth.

Weather

State of the atmosphere at any place and time.

Climate

Average/typical conditions of the atmosphere and how conditions change over time.

Weather vs

Weather adds up to climate; weather is short-term, climate is long-term.

El Niño and La Niña

Climate phenomena that affect weather patterns.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns.

Ice Ages

Periods of significant cooling on Earth.

SI Units

Standardized units for scientific measurements (e.g., temperature in °C, precipitation in mm).

Parts per million (ppm)

A way to express very small concentrations of substances.

Climate Graph

A visual representation of climate data for a specific location.

Anomaly

Observation minus the mean; indicates deviation from average conditions.

Greenhouse Effect

Process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, including CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide.

CO2 Levels

Increased from 315 ppm in 1958 to 407 ppm in 2018.

Isotopic Signature

Chemical signature left by fossil fuel burning that indicates human impact on CO2 levels.

Climate Variability

Climate has always changed, but recent changes are more rapid.

Future Climate Predictions

Uncertainty about future climate is largely due to human actions.

Impact of 5 Degrees C

Represents significant variation compared to the Holocene period.

Consequences of Climate Change

Falling harvests, sea level rise, water shortages, and species extinction.

Mitigation

Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Building Resilience

Investing in infrastructure and community support to withstand climate impacts.

Adaptation

Changing lifestyles to accommodate a warmer climate.