2.1. Earth's Climate System

a. Begin by defining the term “system” in your own words and give two examples in your journal.

b. Now read “Earth System Science in a Nutshell”  (http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/earthsystem/nutshell/index.html) and use these questions to guide your reading:

  •  Briefly describe the Earth system and the subsystems or “spheres” that comprise it. 
  • What is Earth systems science? 


c. Go to the Climate of Concern website (http://know.climateofconcern.org/index.php?option%20=com_content&task=article&id=118) to explore the components that make up Earth’s climate system and how they interact with one another.

d.  One aspect of the climate system that contributes to its complexity is the presence of feedbacks. The concept of climate feedback can be confusing because the term “feedback” is used differently than it is in everyday experience.  Go to the following website: EPA: Causes of climate change  (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/causes.html) Scroll down and click on the presentation about feedback loops. Please record responses in the Lesson 2 Response Form.