Envms 101 Module 10: Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to climate change, greenhouse gases, and related scientific and regulatory concepts.

Weather

Short-term variations in atmospheric factors such as temperature, moisture, precipitation, wind, and air pressure.

Climate

The long-term average of weather conditions expected in a particular region or during a particular time of year.

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, keeping Earth warm enough to support life.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A primary greenhouse gas produced by respiration and the burning of carbon-based fuels.

Methane (CH4)

A potent greenhouse gas with a warming potential 21 times that of CO2, primarily released from human activities.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

A greenhouse gas with a warming potential 310 times that of CO2, primarily resulting from agricultural and industrial activities.

Direct Atmospheric Sampling

The method of measuring atmospheric gas concentrations directly, such as at the Mauna Loa Observatory.

International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

A panel formed by the United Nations in 1988 to assess scientific knowledge about climate change.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement from 1997 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 7% reduction from 1990 levels.

Endangerment Finding

The Supreme Court ruling that greenhouse gases are harmful to human health and can be regulated by the EPA.

Proxy indicators

the gas content of bubbles in ice cores help us to decipher past climatic changes.