Earth's Energy Flows and Climate
Provided by: PBS|Published on: July 31, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Physics, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: WGBH, PBS
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This interactive resource lets students explore the flows of energy in three regions: tropical island, high desert, and Arctic tundra, as well as at the global level, to understand how the increased greenhouse effect causes global warming.
- Students learn about heat transfer types (convection, conduction, and radiation) and how Earth's energy balance relates to greenhouse gases.
Teaching Materials
Classroom Implementation:
- Use this interactive to relate prior knowledge of heat transfer types at the beginning of a climate change or Earth systems unit.
- Conduct a check for understanding by having students match Earth climate descriptors with balance states ("energy in > energy out," "energy in < energy out," and "energy in = energy out").
- Discuss differences in daytime and nighttime warming and energy flow and why the greenhouse effect still takes place without direct sunlight.
Misconceptions:
- The interactive does not differentiate between the natural greenhouse effect, which keeps Earth habitable, and the enhanced greenhouse effect, which intensifies that effect beyond its natural balance.
- The interactive does explain the difference between global warming and climate change; a check for understanding of this distinction is recommended.
Related Resources:
- Use this energy balance lab to demonstrate the greenhouse gas effect using plastic bottles with different gases and thermometers.
- Use this chemistry lesson to dive deeper into the properties of different molecules that cause them to have warming potential in our atmosphere.
This interactive resource presents energy flows in several biomes to illustrate global climate change. The difference between global warming and climate change is addressed, clearing up potential misunderstandings. In addition, heat flow maps are included for day and night, showing that the greenhouse effect is still important even when the sun is not shining. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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