Rooftops for Sustainable Cities

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Global Warming Noun

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[gloh-buhl wor-ming]

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Global Warming

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The long-term heating of Earth's climate system from human activities that increase atmospheric greenhouse gas levels.

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Example: This diagram shows how greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, causing a warming effect on Earth, which leads to global warming.

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Fossil Fuels Noun

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[fos-uhl fyoo-uhls]

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Fossil Fuels

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Natural fuels like coal or oil, formed from ancient organic remains, that release carbon dioxide when burned.

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Example: This image shows a piece of coal, a type of fossil fuel, and lists its main chemical components like carbon and hydrogen.

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Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Noun

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[green-hows gas]

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Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

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An atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy, trapping heat and contributing to the greenhouse effect.

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Example: This diagram shows how greenhouse gases (like CO2) in the atmosphere trap heat that is radiating from the Earth, which helps warm the planet.

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Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Noun

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[kar-buhn dy-ok-sahyd]

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Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

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A primary greenhouse gas released through natural processes and human activities like burning fossil fuels for energy.

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Example: This image shows a simple model of a carbon dioxide molecule, which consists of one central carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.

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Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muh-sfeer]

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Atmosphere

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The envelope of gases that surrounds a planet, such as Earth, held in place by its gravity.

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Example: This diagram shows the atmosphere is a blanket of gases surrounding Earth, organized into distinct layers like the troposphere where we live and weather happens.

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Emissions Noun

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[ih-mish-uhns]

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Emissions

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The release of substances, particularly gases like greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere from various sources.

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Example: Cars release harmful gases and particles from their exhaust pipes into the air, which are called emissions and cause pollution.

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Albedo Noun

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[al-bee-doh]

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Albedo

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A measure of a surface's ability to reflect sunlight, with lighter surfaces having higher reflectivity than darker ones.

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Example: This image compares how light reflects off different surfaces, showing that white surfaces reflect more light (high albedo) while black surfaces reflect less.

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Solar Radiation Noun

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[soh-ler rey-dee-ey-shuhn]

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Solar Radiation

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Radiant energy emitted by the sun, which travels through space and is the primary energy source for Earth.

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Example: This image shows energy, as wavy lines of radiation, traveling from the Sun to the Earth, which is the definition of solar radiation.

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Infrared Heat Noun

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[in-fruh-red heet]

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Infrared Heat

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A form of radiant energy with a wavelength longer than visible light, which is trapped by greenhouse gases.

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Example: This thermal image shows the heat (infrared radiation) left by a handprint, where warmer areas appear as red and orange.

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Combustion Noun

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[kuhm-buhs-chuhn]

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Combustion

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A chemical process of burning that involves a rapid reaction between a substance and an oxidant to produce heat.

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Example: A fuel like a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy in the form of heat and light.