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Climate Change
Long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including shifts in temperature, weather patterns, and precipitation.
Global Warming
The gradual increase in the Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.
Climate vs Weather
Climate describes average weather conditions over long periods, while weather is the short-term state of the atmosphere.
Climatologist
A scientist who studies climate and weather patterns over long periods.
Tree Rings
Layers of a tree that indicate past weather and climate changes.
U-Shaped Valleys
Valleys formed by glaciers that provide evidence of past glaciation.
Fossils
Remains of ancient plants and animals that provide insights into past climates.
Ice Cores
Layers of ice that record past temperatures and atmospheric conditions.
Historical Evidence
Old records and artifacts that indicate human interactions with climate.
Adaptation
The process by which living organisms adjust to changes in their environment.
Horseshoe Crab
An ancient species that has survived various climate changes over millions of years.
Cassowary
A large flightless bird facing survival challenges due to habitat loss.
Chambered Nautilus
A marine creature that has remained largely unchanged for 500 million years.
Greenhouse Gas Effect
The process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
Atmosphere
The layer of gases surrounding the Earth that protects it and supports life.
Solar Radiation
Energy emitted by the sun in the form of light and heat.
Re-radiated Heat
Heat emitted by the Earth back into the atmosphere after absorbing solar radiation.
Greenhouse Gases
Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space.
Rising Global Temperatures
A consistent increase in average global temperatures over the last century.
Melting Ice
The reduction of glaciers and polar ice caps due to rising temperatures.
Rising Sea Levels
An increase in ocean levels caused by melting ice and thermal expansion.
Extreme Weather Events
An increase in the frequency and severity of weather phenomena linked to climate change.
Ocean Warming and Acidification
The warming of ocean waters and increased acidity due to higher CO2 absorption.
Natural Causes of Climate Change
Climate variations caused by volcanic eruptions, solar changes, and ocean currents.
Human Causes of Climate Change
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes that contribute to climate change.
Methane (CH₄)
A potent greenhouse gas released during cattle farming, rice cultivation, and fossil fuel production.
Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)
A greenhouse gas emitted from fertilizers, industrial activity, and certain engines.
Halocarbons
Strong greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and aerosols that also harm the ozone.
Food Crisis
A situation where a significant number of people face food shortages or unaffordable food prices.
Food Insecurity
The lack of reliable access to sufficient and nutritious food.
Famine
A severe food shortage affecting a large population, potentially leading to starvation.
Food Security
Ensuring that all individuals have access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food.
Food Deficit
A situation where a country does not produce enough food to meet its population's needs.
Food Surplus
A condition where a country produces more food than is necessary for its population.
Development
The advancement of a country regarding its economy, education, and healthcare.
Low Income Countries (LICs)
Countries characterized by low gross national income and economic challenges.
High Income Countries (HICs)
Countries with high gross national income and better living conditions.
The Green Revolution
A significant increase in agricultural production due to new farming techniques and crop varieties.
Globalization
The process by which countries and people become more interconnected through trade, technology, and culture.
Transnational Corporations (TNCs)
Companies that operate in multiple countries, often influencing global trade practices.
Exploitation
Unfair treatment or advantage taken, often regarding labor rights in different countries.
Transportation in Globalization
The evolution of travel that facilitates global movement of goods and people.
Communication Technology in Globalization
Advancements in information sharing that enable faster connections around the world.
Sweatshops
Factories where workers endure poor conditions and low wages to produce goods.
Primary Sector
Industry involving resource extraction from nature, such as agriculture and mining.
Secondary Sector
Industry focused on manufacturing and processing raw materials into finished products.
Tertiary Sector
Industry that provides services, including education, healthcare, and retail.
Quaternary Sector
Industry focused on knowledge and information, including research and development.
Climate Change is primarily caused by ________________ activities such as burning fossil fuels.
human
________________ gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse
An increase in ocean levels is referred to as ________________ due to melting ice and thermal expansion.
rising sea levels
A significant increase in agricultural production in the 1960s is known as the ________________ Revolution.
Green
An ancient species, the ________________, has survived various climate changes over millions of years.
horseshoe crab
The study of climate and weather patterns over long periods is conducted by a ________________ .
climatologist
Extreme weather events have become more frequent and severe due to ________________ change.
climate
A situation where a country produces more food than is necessary for its population is called a ________________ .
food surplus
The process of organisms adjusting to environmental changes is known as ________________ .
adaptation
Fossils provide insights into past ________________ conditions and climate changes.
climate
What is climate change?
Long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including shifts in temperature, weather patterns, and precipitation.
What is global warming?
The gradual increase in the Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.
What distinguishes climate from weather?
Climate describes average weather conditions over long periods; weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions.
Who studies climate?
A climatologist is a scientist who studies climate and weather patterns over long periods.
What do tree rings indicate?
Tree rings indicate past weather and climate changes.
What are U-shaped valleys?
U-shaped valleys are formed by glaciers and provide evidence of past glaciation.
How do fossils inform us about climate?
Fossils are remains of ancient organisms that provide insights into past climates.
What are ice cores?
Ice cores are layers of ice that record past temperatures and atmospheric conditions.
What evidence indicates human interactions with climate?
Historical evidence includes old records and artifacts that indicate human interactions with climate.
What is adaptation in terms of climate change?
Adaptation is the process by which organisms adjust to changes in their environment.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization, or product.
Renewable Energy
Energy from sources that are replenished naturally, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
Non-Renewable Energy
Energy from sources that are finite and will deplete over time, like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs.
Biodiversity
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, essential for resilience and stability.
Deforestation
The clearing of forests, often resulting in loss of biodiversity, increased carbon emissions, and disruption of water cycles.
Ozone Layer
A region of the Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O₃) and protects against harmful UV radiation.
Climate Adaptation
Adjusting practices, processes, and structures to minimize damage from the effects of climate change.
Climate Mitigation
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.
Ecosystem Services
The benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.
Pollution
The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, adversely affecting ecosystems and human health.
Geothermal Energy
Heat energy generated and stored in the Earth, used for electricity and direct heating applications.
Carbon Sequestration
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂ to mitigate climate change.
Habitat Loss
The destruction or alteration of the natural environment where species live, often leading to extinction.
Eco-Friendly
Products or practices that have minimal impact on the environment and promote sustainability.
Urban Heat Island Effect
Urban areas becoming significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.
Acid Rain
Precipitation that is significantly more acidic than natural rain, often due to pollution.
Green Building
Construction methods that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life cycle.
Water Scarcity
A situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply in a region.
Fracking
A technique used to extract oil or gas from underground rock formations by injecting high-pressure fluid.
Food Web
A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.
Extinction
The permanent disappearance of a species from the Earth's ecosystem.
Greenwashing
Deceptive marketing practices claiming environmental benefits that are not substantiated.
Carbon Neutral
A state of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by balancing emissions produced with those offset.
Thermal Expansion
The increase in water volume caused by warming waters, contributing to rising sea levels.
Atmospheric Pressure
The force exerted by the weight of air in the atmosphere, influencing weather patterns.
Soil Erosion
The removal of the topsoil layer due to wind, water, or human activity, leading to land degradation.
Circular Economy
An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.
Conservation
The sustainable management of natural resources to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A sustainable approach to managing pests by using a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods.
Smart Growth
An urban planning approach promoting sustainable and environmentally-friendly communities.
Climate Justice
A social movement seeking to address the unequal impact of climate change on marginalized communities.
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