Real World: Earth’s Energy Balance: Small Changes, Big Impact
Earth's energy balance is very delicate. Small changes may have a big impact. How might changes in Earth's land and atmosphere impact this delicate balance? How might this knowledge be used to help us take better care of Earth?
Discussion and Writing Prompts
1. Some changes in Earth's system can trigger additional changes that either increase or decrease their effects. How can one small environmental change create a chain reaction throughout Earth's system? Choose an example from the video (such as melting sea ice, changing cloud cover, or land-use changes) and describe how it can set off a series of connected changes. Explain whether the chain reaction amplifies or reduces the original change.
2. NASA scientists continuously monitor Earth from space to detect changes that may be too gradual for people to notice. Why is long-term monitoring important when studying Earth's climate and environment?
3. Communities often use scientific data to make decisions about preparing for environmental changes. How can understanding Earth's energy balance help communities become more resilient to changing conditions such as extreme heat, coastal flooding, or drought? Explain how scientific observations and NASA data could help community leaders make informed decisions that reduce risk and protect people and natural resources.
Background Information
Grades 3 through 12
- NASA eClips Ask SME: Physical Scientist – Jessica Taylor (video, grades 3-12) ADDED RESOURCE
- NASA eClips Ask SME: Project Scientist – Marile Colon Robles (video, grades 3-12) ADDED RESOURCE
Grades 4 through 12
- NASA Climate Kids Weather and Climate (webpage, grades 4-12) URL and TITLE UPDATED
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA eClips Real World: Energy In and Energy Out (video)
- V.A.L.U.E. Bundle: Earth’s Energy Balance (webpage)
- NASA CERES: Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (webpage)
- NASA Earth's Energy Budget Lithograph (pdf)
- NASA NEO: NASA Earth Observations (webpage)
- NASA What is Earth's Energy Budget? Five Questions with a Guy Who Knows (webpage)
- NASA Earth Observatory Climate and Earth's Energy Budget (webpage)
- UCAR The Energy Budget (webpage)
Activities
Grades 6 through 8
- NASA Global Energy Budget (webpage)
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA’s Real World: What Causes Global Climate Change? (pdf)
- NASA LaRC About Energy Budget (webpage)
- UCAR Earth's Albedo and the Sun's Brightness Affect Climate (interactive)
- GLOBE Clouds and Energy Budget One Week Pacing Guide (pdf)
- My NASA Data Earth's Energy Budget (webpage)
- My NASA Data Explore Earth’s Energy Budget Diagram (webpage)
- My NASA Data Earth’s Energy Budget Lesson Plans (webpage)
- My NASA Data Earth’s Energy Budget Mini Lessons (webpage)