Climate Change Lesson 2 : Earth's Energy Balance

Students will be able to:

1. Identify the main sources of energy to the climate system, and the various types of electromagnetic radiation.

2. Describe the Earth’s energy balance.

3. Describe some changes in the balance between solar radiation entering the atmosphere and the Earth’s radiation going out.

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations

Grade 6-7 Social Studies:

• Describe the environmental effects of human action on the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. 6-G5.1.1, 7-G5.1.1

HS Earth Science:

• Describe natural processes in which heat transfer in the Earth occurs by conduction, convection, and radiation. E2.2C

• Identify the main sources of energy to the climate system. E2.2D

• Describe natural mechanism that could result in significant changes in climate. E5.4B

HS Biology:

• Recognize that, and describe how human beings are part of Earth’s ecosystems. Note that human activities can deliberately or inadvertently alter the equilibrium in ecosystems. L3.p4A

Climate Literacy Principles

• #1. The sun is the primary source of energy for earth’s climate system.

• #2. Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the earth system.