ch9Lecture

Bio 120 Dr. Haenni

Climate Change

The long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Global Warming

The increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Arctic

The region around the North Pole, characterized by cold temperatures and the presence of sea ice.

Glaciers

Large masses of ice that form on land and move slowly down slopes or valleys.

Permafrost

Ground that remains permanently frozen for at least two consecutive years.

Paris Agreement

An international treaty signed in 2015 that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Pleistocene

A geological epoch that lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, characterized by repeated glaciations.

Holocene

The current geological epoch, which began about 11,700 years ago and is characterized by a relatively stable climate.

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat and warm the planet.

Anthropogenic

Caused or influenced by human activities.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A greenhouse gas released through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

Methane (CH4)

A potent greenhouse gas released during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

A greenhouse gas released from agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during the combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

A measure of how much a given amount of greenhouse gas is estimated to contribute to global warming over a specified time period.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, primarily through human activities.

Glacial Meltwater

Water that comes from the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

Sea Level Rise

The increase in the average level of the ocean's surface due to the expansion of seawater and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

Computer Simulation

The use of computer models to simulate and predict future climate conditions based on various scenarios.

Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases and minimize the impact of climate change.

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Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce or prevent the impacts of climate change.

Adaptation

Actions taken to adjust to the impacts of climate change.

Cost of adaptation

The financial expenses associated with implementing adaptation measures.

Business as Usual

The continuation of current practices and policies without any changes.

Sustainable World

A state where economic development is balanced with environmental protection and social well-being.

GDP

Gross Domestic Product, the total value of goods and services produced in a country.

Cost of damages of Business as Usual

The economic losses incurred due to the impacts of climate change under a Business as Usual scenario.

Regulations

Rules and guidelines implemented by governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CO2e

Carbon dioxide equivalent, a measure of the global warming potential of different greenhouse gases.

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)

Regulations that require automobile manufacturers to meet certain fuel efficiency standards.

Economic incentives

Financial rewards or benefits provided to encourage certain behaviors or actions.

Tax credits

Reductions in taxes owed by individuals or businesses as a result of specific actions or investments.

Cap-and-trade

A market-based approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, where a limit (cap) is set on total emissions and permits to emit are traded among participants.

Consensus among nations

Agreement or shared understanding among different countries.

United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)

An organization that coordinates environmental activities and assists countries in implementing sustainable development practices.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

A scientific body established by the UNEP and the World Meteorological Organization to provide objective information on climate change.

Earth Summit

A global conference held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 to address environmental issues, including climate change.

Kyoto Protocol

An international treaty adopted in 1997 that sets binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

UN Climate Change Conference

Annual conferences where countries come together to discuss and negotiate climate change policies and agreements.

Warsaw 2013

A UN Climate Change Conference held in Warsaw, Poland in 2013.

Paris 2015

A UN Climate Change Conference held in Paris, France in 2015, where the Paris Agreement was adopted.