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Understanding Global Change

Discover why the climate and environment changes, your place in the Earth system, and paths to a resilient future.

Understanding Global Change

Discover why the climate and environment changes, your place in the Earth system, and paths to a resilient future.

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  • What is Global Change?
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    • icons-what-is-gcUnderstanding Global Change 101
    • icons-what-is-gc-bwUnderstanding Global Change Infographic
    • icons-processesHow the Earth System Works
      • Atmosphere
      • Biosphere
      • Elemental Cycles
      • Geosphere
      • Global Energy Budget
      • Hydrosphere
    • icons-causesCauses of Global Change
      • Human causes
      • Non-human causes
    • icons-effectsMeasurable Changes
      • Atmosphere
      • Biosphere
      • Geosphere
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      • Quality of human life
      • Weather / extreme events
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Home → What is Global Change → How the Earth System Works → Global Energy Budget

Global Energy Budget

To understand how the Earth works, we need to know about the sources of the energy for processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. Click on the icons below to learn more about Earth's energy budget. Return to the How the Earth System Works page to explore other processes that shape our world.

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  • Atmosphere
  • Biosphere
  • Elemental Cycles
  • Geosphere
  • Global Energy Budget
  • Hydrosphere

Absorption / reflection of sunlight

Earth’s internal heat

Re-radiation of heat

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