After learning about various heat transfer methods for the Earth's atmosphere in Chapter 4, consider how a
balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing longwave radiation must be maintained in order to
keep annual temperatures the same. Climate scientists are mostly worried about this imbalance, especially the
decrease of outgoing longwave radiation that would lead to a warming of the atmosphere. At the Pierce
College Weather Station (www.piercecollegeweather.com (Links to an external site.)), we can track these types
of radiation and get a sense for the radiation budget and resulting temperature at Pierce College.
I want you to share your observations of how your local community might be impacting a global imbalance.
Comment on changes in landscape (urbanization), automobile use, or industry pollution that may add to the
delay or reduction of outgoing longwave radiation escaping to space.
Sample Solution