geography chapter 4

natural environment

living and non-living things that occur naturally on the earth

built environment

landscapes constructed by human beings

environmental problem

negative effects of human activities on the environment

environmental kuznets curve

model of the relationship between environmental problems and economic development

sustainable development

a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

degradation

decrease in size, quality and diversity of the natural landscape

pollution

introducing harmful substances into the environment

depletion

using natural resources more quickly than they are replenished

fragmentation

a natural landscape which is split, for example through large-scale infrastructure projects

wildlife crossings

a solution to fragmentation by connecting fragmented areas, e.g. by a bridge

low emission zones

an area in cities where older, more polluting cars are not allowed

overfishing

a form of depletion; more fish are caught than can be replenished

quota

a limit on how many resources or products can be taken or produced

reforestation

replanting trees

afforestation

planting new trees

insolation

incoming solar radiation – sunlight

intergovernmental panel on climate change

the international organisation which investigates climate change

greenhouse effect

the trapping of reflected insolation within the atmosphere due to the presence of greenhouse gases

greenhouse gases

gases which are very good at trapping radiation: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane

fossil fuels

coal, oil, and gas

enhanced greenhouse effect

an increase in the trapping capacity of the atmosphere, due to human activity

carbon cycle

model of stores and transfers of carbon throughout the earth’s system

thermal expansion

main contributor to sea level rise - the enlargement of (sea)water molecules as they get warmer