Feedback loops play an important role in interactions among parts of the climate system. Positive feedback loops can sometimes result in irreversible change as climate conditions cross a tipping point.
Resource Type: Information
Scientists are concerned that the climate system has already crossed some tipping points, and could be on the brink of crossing others.
Resource Type: Information
Students learn about the sources and impacts of major types of air pollution.
Air pollution takes many forms - from particles of soot large enough to see, to individual molecules of ozone and nitrogen oxides. Air quality measurements let people know when the amounts of pollutants pose a health risk. This teaching box is filled with educational resources that help students explore the science of, and solutions to, air pollution.
Resource Type: Activities
Students learn about the sources and impacts of tropospheric ozone.
Students learn about the sources and impacts of particulate matter (PM) or aerosols in relation air quality and human impacts.
Students learn that ozone varies through the hours of the day and over geographic area depending on the amount of pollution, sunlight, topography, and weather.
The Sun is an active place! Learn about the many different types of solar phenomena.
Resource Type: Information
Invisible energy from the Sun known as the solar wind extends throughout our entire solar system and even beyond.
Resource Type: Information
Earth's biomes change over long time periods as a result of natural cycles, but can change more abruptly due to human impacts. Earth's forest biomes in particular are changing, as a result of agriculture, outbreaks of tree-killing pests, and wildfires.