Understanding Carbon Dioxide and Its Impact

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from notes on carbon dioxide, its history, impact on climate change, and associated economic and environmental concepts.

Cap and trade

A market-based system for managing environmental pollutants where a total limit is placed on emissions and individual entities can trade their emission allowances.

Carbon cycle

The series of processes through which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, water, and living organisms.

Carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.

Greenhouse effect

The warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of carbon dioxide and water.

Coase theorem

An economic theory that suggests that externalities can be efficiently resolved through bargaining, provided transaction costs are low.

Collective action

The action taken together by a group of people to achieve a common objective.

Command-and-control

A regulatory approach that uses specific legal commands and government enforcement to control pollution levels.

Greenwashing

The deceptive practice of promoting an organization's products or policies as environmentally friendly when they are not.

Uneven development

The unequal distribution of economic activities and resources across different regions or groups.

Surplus value

The excess of value produced by labor over the wages paid to labor, accumulated by owners or investors.

Carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.

Climate free-riders

Entities that benefit from resources or services without paying for their fair share of the costs.

Carbon markets

Markets where carbon emission allowances or credits can be bought and sold.

Emissions trading

A system that allows countries or companies to buy and sell allowances for emissions, giving economic incentives to reduce pollution.