precipitation – n. water that falls to the ground as rain or snow

carbon dioxide – n. a gas that is produced when people and animals breathe out or when certain fuels are burned and that is used by plants for energy

emissions – n. something sent out or given off; the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source

taken up by – idiomatic absorbed; to take in (something, such as a liquid) in a natural or gradual way

thaw(ing) – v. to become warm enough that snow and ice melt

platform – n. a place on which an instrument or tool can be mounted or placed

interconnected – adj. having the quality of being connected with something else

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