Earth Day 2024

Solar

A type of renewable energy often promoted on Earth Day

EPA

An environmental protection agency established in the United States

California

An oil spill in what state inspired the creation of Earth Day

longitude

Distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees

What are the main components of Earth's atmosphere?

Mostly nitrogen and oxygen

Silent Spring

Rachel Carson's book

Endangered species

Status assigned to a species that faces a high risk of extinction in the near future

green

The color most associated Earth Day

United States

The country where Earth Day originated

Gaylord Nelson

The founder of Earth Day

What is the atmosphere?

The layer of gases surrounding a planet

climate

The long-term (30+ years) temperature and precipitation patterns that determine the flora and fauna present

April

The month Earth Day is celebrated

Microplastics

Tiny pieces of plastic that are harming animals in the environment

Canopy Project

What Project aims to plant 7.8 billion trees by 2022 in honor of Earth Day

United Nations

Which international organization supports Earth Day by promoting environmental sustainability

population

a group of interacting individuals of the same species, in the same geographic area at the same time

oxygen

a highly reactive by-product of photosynthesis, this gas is produced by plants and algae and is required by most other forms of life

Biodiversity

a measure of genetic diversity at the species, habitat, ecosystem, or global level

ozone layer

a protective layer of ozone gases (O3) in the troposphere that block most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation (especially UV-C) from the Sun

climate mitigation strategies

an action that prevents or reduces factors that cause climate change, such as protecting forests or reducing emissions

climate adaptation

an adjustment made to reduce or avoid the harm caused by current or future impacts of climate change

Ecosystem

an area that functions as a unit, made up of all the biotic and abiotic members or factors that interact

fossil fuels

buried organic matter that has undergone geologic compression and heating over millions of years to form coal, oil, shale oil, and natural gas (methane)

Anthropocenic

caused by humans, usually referring to emissions, land use changes, or climate change

hydropower

electricity from a source of water flowing through a turbine, typically from a dammed river

wind power

electricity generated from moving air masses that cause a turbine or windmill to spin

solar power

electricity generated from solar radiation that transfers energy to electrons within solar cells or is concentrated to heat up water

greenhouse effect

gases in the atmosphere trap infrared radiation and prevent it from escaping into space, warming the planet

greenhouse emissions

greenhouse gases or other compounds released into the atmosphere from various activities

pollution

harmful substances or forms of energy, such as contaminants in the air and water or loud noises and unnatural light

geothermal energy

heat energy from the Earth's crust that can be used for electricity, heating buildings and water, or cooking

renewable resource

resources that can be renewed or replaced on a human timescale, such as wind and solar power

nonrenewable resource

resources that can be used up (they are not replaceable), typically referring to fossil fuels

passive solar

techniques that use solar radiation to heat and light up buildings without electricity

sustainability

the ability of current generations to survive without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to do so

energy

the ability to do work, typically in the form of light and heat, or as potential energy

carbon footprint

the amount of carbon dioxide or equivalent gases emitted from the activities of an individual, group, entity, or nation

latitude

the angular distance in degrees, either north or south of the Earth's equator

deforestation

the loss of forested land due to livestock agriculture, logging, fires, or other human activities

carbon dioxide

the most abundant greenhouse gas, released from fossil fuel combustion, burning trees, decomposition, and respiration

habitat

the physical and living factors that support the survival and reproduction of species

Ecology

the study of interactions between living organisms and their environment

Anthropocene

the unofficial name for the current geologic epoch, meaning the "age of humans"

1970

the year Earth Day was first celebrated

Planet vs Plastics

theme of Earth Day 2024

conserve

to protect, preserve, or limit the loss of something such as wildlife habitat, species, or resources