Environmental Problems and Solutions Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering noise pollution, global warming, and resource depletion based on the Biology Grade 9 lecture notes.

Noise pollution

The unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound that causes discomfort for all living things.

Decibel scale (dBA)

The measurement scale used to quantify sound levels, ranging from the threshold of hearing at $0$ to the threshold of pain at $130$.

Global warming

The increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere caused by the rise in carbon dioxide levels.

Greenhouse effect

The process where carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and certain pollutants in the air act like a greenhouse by trapping energy and heat.

Climate change

A broad term referring to long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and precipitation.

Resource depletion

The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished.

Renewable Resources

Resources that can be naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass.

Non-Renewable Resources

Resources that cannot be easily replaced once consumed, such as coal, oil, gas, and stones.

Hypertension

High blood pressure that can be caused as a physiological effect of noise pollution.

Tinnitus

A hearing-related effect of noise pollution characterized by ringing in the ears.

Conservation of natural resources

The responsibility to reduce consumption, use non-conventional energy, and control the use of non-renewable resources.

Deforestation

The clearing of forests which serves as a major cause of both global warming and resource depletion.

Threshold of pain

The level of noise at approximately $130\,dBA$ where sound causes physical discomfort or damage.

Threshold of hearing

The lowest level of sound on the decibel scale, marked at $0\,dBA$.