Fuckass climate change final (matching portion)

temperature

measurement of how hot or cold something is; influenced by energy in the atmosphere

Precipitation

Water that falls from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface (rain, snow, sleet, hail)

Sea-level rise

Increase in ocean height due to melting ice and thermal expansion from warming

Ocean acidification

Lowering of ocean pH caused by absorption of excess CO2

hurricane

A powerful tropical storm with strong winds and heavy rain

adaptation

Actions taken to adjust to the effects of climate change (e.g., building sea walls)

mitigation

Actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change

extinction

The complete disappearance of a species

conservation

Protecting natural resources, ecosystems, and species

carbon wedge

A strategy that breaks climate solutions into smaller, manageable “wedges”

efficiency

Using energy or resources with minimal waste

renewable energy

Energy from resources that naturally replenish (solar, wind, hydro)

thomas malthus

Economist who predicted population growth would outpace resources

global warming

The rise in Earth’s average temperature due to increased greenhouse gases

global climate change

long-term changes in climate patterns across the entire planet

Bioaccumulation

Build-up of toxic substances in organisms over time

Endangered Species Act

U.S. law protecting species at risk of extinction

captive breeding

Breeding endangered species in controlled environments

forensic scientist

Using scientific techniques to investigate environmental crimes

biodiversity hotspot

Areas with exceptionally high species diversity under threat

cap and trade

Policy that sets pollution limits and allows trading of emission permits

carbon offsets

Reductions in emissions used to compensate for emissions elsewhere

externality

A cost or benefit that affects others but is not included in market prices

Kyoto Protocol

International agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Montreal protocol

Global treaty that phased out ozone-depleting chemicals

ozone layer

Atmospheric layer that absorbs harmful UV radiation.

coals

Fossil fuel formed from ancient plants; major contributor to emissions

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chemicals once used in aerosols and coolants that damage the ozone layer

Climatology

The scientific study of climate

Climate

Long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation