Investigation 9 Vocabulary

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carbon dioxide

Back

a greenhouse gas found in Earth’s atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is created by natural and human-made processes.

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carbon sequestration

Back

the process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, typically by storing it underground.

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climate change

Back

the change in our climate due to increased greenhouse gases and energy uses.

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emission

Back

a substance being let out into the atmosphere.

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global warming

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a worldwide warming trend on Earth that affects global weather.

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greenhouse effect

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the process in which greenhouse gases “trap” heat by absorbing and radiating heat energy so it doesn’t pass through the atmosphere and exit to space.

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greenhouse gas

Back

a gas that absorbs and radiates energy in the atmosphere, trapping thermal energy.

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ice core

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a sample from deep, ancient ice near Earth’s poles that provides information about the gas content of the atmosphere in the past.

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infrared

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radiant energy that is beyond the red end of the visible spectrum.

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paleoclimatology

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the study of long-term climate trends extending to ancient times.