Global Climate Change Vocabulary

Flashcards on Global Climate Change

Climate

An area’s long-term atmospheric conditions, including temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, barometric pressure, and solar radiation.

Global climate change

Changes in temperature, precipitation, and the frequency and intensity of storms across the world.

Global warming

An increase in Earth’s average temperature, and is only one aspect of climate change.

Greenhouse gases

Atmospheric gases having three or more atoms in their molecules tend to absorb infrared radiation given off by the Earth’s surface, then re-emit it back downward.

Examples of greenhouse gases

Water vapor (H2O), ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and halocarbons.

Greenhouse effect

The re-warming of the lower atmosphere by the emitting of infrared energy by greenhouse gases.

Paleoclimate

Climate in the ancient past.

Proxy indicators

Types of indirect measurements that serve as substitutes for direct measurement.

Adaptation

Strategies to cushion ourselves from the impacts of climate change.

Mitigation

Aims to alleviate or reduce the severity of climate change.

Carbon capture and storage

Technologies or approaches that remove carbon dioxide from emissions and then store it belowground.

Carbon pricing strategies

Compensate the public for the external costs we all suffer from climate change resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon trading system

A system in which permits are traded for the emission of carbon dioxide.

Carbon tax

A tax on the emission of carbon dioxide or the carbon content of fossil fuels.

Geoengineering

Taking steps to directly alter Earth’s climate.