Earth Energy Balance

The radiation balance at the Earth’s surface evaporates water, losing heat. The solar radiation on the Earth’s surface sets in motion convection and conduction, also losing heat. However, due to the sun’s rotation, the world only receives solar radiation during daylight hours, while it emits infrared radiation twenty-four hours a day. Only a tiny portion of the sun’s radiation is released back into space. Most radiation is cast back into the atmosphere, absorbed by clouds and greenhouse gases. This is known as the Greenhouse Effect. It is what keeps our planet warm. Draw a diagram that shows the radiation balance at the Earth’s surface.

The primary process that causes energy loss from the atmosphere is the emission of infrared radiation inward to Earth’s surface and outward to space. As you have learned, approximately 3/5ths of infrared radiation is emitted back from the atmosphere to Earth, and another two/fifths of infrared radiation is ejected into space. Draw a diagram that shows the Solar radiation incoming and the infrared incoming and outgoing.

The energy gained from the sun is balanced by the energy lost. This is key to the Earth’s constant average temperature. However, this fragile balance is changing, and Earth is getting hotter. The critical point is to retain the current balance to 1.5 degrees Celsius increase. Draw a balanced earth temperature. What can you do to make a difference? Look at the Climate Change journey to see the consequences of increasing the Earth’s temperature beyond a 1.5% Celsius rise.