Energy Cycle: Earth’s System Earth’s Energy Budget By: Laura Zehr, Keira Madden and Russell Booth

Nature of Earth’s Energy System  Not really a system like the others  Focuses on Earth’s part of the system- once it gets the energy from the Sun how is it distributed?

Examples  The cycle of energy from the sun fuels every cycle on earth.  The water cycle

Examples Continues  Ecosystem Cycles

Location  This system occurs throughout most the spheres:  Atmosphere  Hydrosphere  Geosphere

Effect on the Economy  Earth systems absorb an average of about 240 watts  Used for many types of energy  Thermal  Solar  Hydro  Wind

Costs of Interrupting the Cycle  Greenhouse gases generated by human activity the primary force driving global warming  Increased development of urban sprawl amplifies the amount of heat absorbed

Purpose and Importance  The purpose of the system is to deliver energy to Earth and its cycles and systems.  It’s important because the energy it delivers is used for all other cycles and systems needed for life on Earth.

What are we doing to save it?  Reducing harmful gas emissions!  The buildup of gases in the atmosphere is disrupting the release of energy out of the atmosphere.  This can be done through small gestures (turning off the lights when you leave the room) and large ones (using eco-friendly transportation)

What are we doing to save it?  Use Solar Energy where possible!  The use of solar energy is an effective way of using solar energy from the sun that is otherwise absorbed by the earth  Any Environmentally friendly act leads back to the efficient use of the energy that runs our planet  Hopefully in the future we’ll develop some more effective ways of combatting disruption to this cycle!

Citation  Earth Labs. (2014). Climate and Earth's Energy Balance. Retrieved From   SA Water. (2014). The Water Cycle. Retrieved From  University of Michigan. (n.d.). The Concept of the Ecosystem. Retrieved From ures/kling/ecosyst em/ecosystem.html ures/kling/ecosyst em/ecosystem.html  Climate and Earth’s Energy Budget : Feature Articles. (n.d.). Climate and Earth’s Energy Budget : Feature Articles. Retrieved September 11, 2014, from