ASCL Essential Principles The Earth is surrounded by a thin atmosphere that sustains life. Solar energy drives many atmospheric processes. Atmospheric circulations transport gases, particles, and energy. The atmosphere changes over time and space giving rise to weather and climate. The atmosphere constantly interacts with other components of the Earth system. Though measurement and the application of physical principles, humans can understand and predict the behavior of the atmosphere. The atmosphere and humans are inextricably linked.

The Earth is surrounded by a thin atmosphere that sustains life 27 The Earth is surrounded by a thin, fragile atmosphere that sustains life 8 The atmosphere is a thin gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth 4 the atmosphere is made up of gases and particles 3 an atmosphere is the gaseous envelope that surrounds planets 2 The atmosphere and life are interconnected 2 atmosphere is unique and makes Earth habitable 2 humans and all organisms are interconnected with the atmosphere 9 the atmosphere co-evolved with life 3 the atmosphere is essential for life 2 Plants use content in the atmosphere to build life 1 the atmosphere has 5 layers AT - Although I “voted” for a different “what is the atmosphere (envelope of gas)” item, I would like to incorporate the words “unique” and “one atmosphere” from other “candidates” in that group. AT - Life influences and is influenced by the atmosphere, not just humans AT - Life on Earth co-evolved with its environment and is (humans are) dependent on an atmosphere with certain physical, chemical, and radiative properties

Solar energy drives many atmospheric processes 27 Solar energy drives atmospheric processes 12 The cycling of energy has profound effects on the atmosphere 6 Energy form the Sun drives the atmosphere

Atmospheric circulations transport gases, particles, and energy 24 Atmosphere is a fluid that transports heat and matter, water, particles 16 The Sun and Earth’s rotation drive the atmospheric circulation 6 The cycling of water has profound affects on the atmosphere 3 The atmosphere is an agent of transport

The atmosphere changes over time and space giving rise to weather and climate 22 - The atmosphere changes over time and space 16 – Changes in the atmosphere take place on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales 4 The atmosphere is dynamic and changes at different rates, the composition changes, it varies from location to location, small changes can have transformational effects 2 Weather and climate vary in time and space 2 There is one atmosphere that varies depending on location and at different timescales. Weather and climate are different but inextricably connected 1 Atmospheric processes vary over many scales 1 The atmosphere changes through time and space 5 the atmosphere [brings] weather and climate 1 weather effects us daily AT - Should weather be elevated to EP? Most accessible to people

The atmosphere constantly interacts with other components of the Earth system 26 The atmosphere is one of many Earth systems and interacts with other systems 13 There is exchange between the atm, hydrosphere, oceans and biosphere. The atmosphere is constantly changing energy and matter with other spheres 12 The atmosphere is a variable dynamic and complex system 8 The atmosphere interacts with all other Earth system spheres 5 The atmosphere is part of the Earth’s system 3 The atmosphere is part of the Earth system

Though measurement and the application of physical principles, humans can understand and predict the behavior of the atmosphere 19 The atmosphere can be studied and understood 2 Nature of science – how we know what we know 1 how do we study the atmosphere? From space – essential to ESS

The atmosphere and humans are inextricably linked 37 Humans influence and are influenced by the atmosphere 4 The atmosphere and humans are inextricably interconnected 2 Humans change atmosphere; atmosphere changes over time 2 humans and all organisms are interconnected with the atmosphere AT - Our understanding of the atmosphere and climate informs social action and policy that is vital to the quality and continuity of life on Earth now and in the future AT - Aesthetic considerations – lightning, rainbows and glories

Top EPs 37 Humans influence and are influenced by the atmosphere 27 The Earth is surrounded by a thin, fragile atmosphere that sustains life 8 The atmosphere is a thin gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth 27 Solar energy drives atmospheric processes 12 The cycling of energy has profound effects on the atmosphere 26 The atmosphere is one of many Earth systems and interacts with other systems 12 The atmosphere is a variable dynamic and complex system 13 There is exchange between the atm, hydrosphere, oceans and biosphere. The atmosphere is constantly changing energy and matter with other spheres 8 The atmosphere interacts with all other Earth system spheres 22 - The atmosphere changes over time and space 16 – Changes in the atmosphere take place on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales 24 Atmosphere is a fluid that transports heat and matter, water, particles 16 The Sun and Earth’s rotation drive the atmospheric circulation 19 The atmosphere can be studied and understood 9 The atmosphere co-evolved with life