EDEXCEL IGCSE Geography - Fragile Environments

Adaptation (global warming)

Changing lifestyles and economic activity to suit a different climate, such as farming different crops.

Agro-forestry

The growing of trees for the benefit of agriculture, as windbreaks or as protection against soil erosion.

Alternative energy

Renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power, that offer an alternative to the use of fossil fuels.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chemicals once used in foams, refrigerators, aerosols and air-conditioning units. It is responsible for the destruction of world's ozone layer and for part of the greenhouse effect.

Climate change

Long term changes in any atmospheric condition in a place.

Deforestation

The deliberate clearing of forested land, often causing serious environmental problems such as soil erosion.

Desertification

The spread of desert conditions into what were semi-arid areas.

Drought

A long, continuous period of below dry weather (below average rainfall).

Ecological Footprint

A measure of the mark the humans make on the natural world. It considers how much land and sea are required to provide the humans with the water, energy and food they need to support lifestyles.

Famine

A chronic shortage of food resulting in many people dying from starvation.

Fossil fuel

Carbon fuels such as coal, oil and nature gas that cannot be 'remade' because it will take tens of millions of years for them to form again.

Fragile

A term used to describe those natural environments that are sensitive to, and easily abused by human activities.

Global warming

A process whereby global temperature rise over time.

Greenhouse Effect

The warming of the Earth's atmosphere because greenhouse gases are preventing heat from escaping into space.

Malnutrition

A condition resulting when a person is unable to eat what is needed to maintain good health.

Migration

When people move from one area to another. The UN defines migration as moving for more than one year.

Orbital Changes

Changes in the way the earth orbits the sun, on very long timescales, which can change the earth's climate.

Overgrazing

When pasture or grazing is unable to support the number of animals relying on the food. The result is the vegetation cover declines and soil erosion sets in.

Population pressure

When the number of people in an area begins to approach carrying capacity and places a strain on available resources.

Refugee

A person whose reasons for migrating are due to fear of persecution and death.

Soil erosion

The washing or blowing away of topsoil so that the fertility of the remaining soil is greatly reduced.

Solar output

Changes in the energy emitted by the sun (seen as changing sunspots on the sun's surface) which can alter the earth's climate.

Sustainability

Actions and forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Sustainable

A term used to describe actions that minimise negative impacts on the environment and promote human well-being.

Well-being

A condition experienced by people and greatly influenced by the standard of living and quality of life.