Understanding Climate

The short-term state of the atmosphere (temperature, wind, rain, etc) that can change rapidly from minute-to-minute and hour to hour.

A long-term pattern of weather.

Regions of Earth that have predictable long-term and seasonal weather patterns (especially temperature and precipitation).

• Weather Zones

• Climate Zones

• Latitude Zones

• Longitude Zones

Any change to Earth’s atmosphere that disrupts the usually predictable, natural weather patterns in Earth's overall climate and its climate zones.

• Weather

• Forecast

• Global Warming

• Climate Change

The natural process of gases in Earth's atmosphere trapping the Sun's heat (life on Earth would not exist without this process that keeps the planet at a livable temperature).

When human activities release extra greenhouse gases into our atmosphere trapping too much of the sun’s heat and leading to global warming = ________ Greenhouse Effect.

What are fossil fuels?

• Renewable energy sources that are burned for fuel

• Non-renewable energy sources that are burned for fuel

What are examples of fossil fuels that are burned for fuel? Select all that apply.

• Coal

• Natural Gas

• Solar

• Crude Oil

What are three main greenhouse gases in our atmosphere? Select all that apply.

• Methane

• Oxygen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Water Vapor

The heating of Earth's overall climate system (starting with the Industrial Revolution when humans began burning fossil fuels) due to the release of too many greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.