Global warming
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92 Terms
Global Warming
A long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, often referred to as global climate change.
Climate
The long-term weather conditions in a specific area, contrasting with the short-term phenomena of weather.
Anthropogenic
Caused or influenced by humans, often used in the context of environmental effects such as climate change.
Greenhouse effect
The process by which certain gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, keeping the planet warmer than it would otherwise be.
Radiative forcing
The change in energy balance in the Earth's atmosphere due to factors such as greenhouse gas concentrations.
Carbon neutrality
Achieving a net zero carbon footprint by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal or offsetting.
Proxy data
Indirect evidence used to infer past climate conditions through natural phenomena such as tree rings, ice cores, and sediment layers.
Permafrost
Ground that remains completely frozen for at least two consecutive years, which when thawed can release greenhouse gases.
Tipping point
A critical threshold that, when crossed, leads to significant and often irreversible changes in an ecosystem or climate system.
Ocean acidification
The decreasing pH level of Earth’s oceans caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
El Niño
A climate pattern characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, impacting global weather.
La Niña
A climate pattern characterized by cooler than average ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific, affecting global weather patterns.
Fossil fuels
Natural substances formed from decomposed plants and animals that are used for energy, including coal, oil, and natural gas.
Glacier
A large mass of ice that moves slowly over land, which is shrinking due to global warming.
Climate model
A mathematical representation of the climate system used to simulate and predict future climate conditions.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
A United Nations body that assesses the science related to climate change, its impacts, and possible adaptation and mitigation strategies.
CO2 concentration
The amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, typically measured in parts per million (ppm).
Climate Change Mitigation
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases, aimed at limiting global warming.
Adaptation
Adjusting practices, processes, and structures to minimize damage caused by climate change impacts.
Greenhouse Gases
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Renewable Energy
Energy sourced from natural processes that are continuously replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Agriculture and Climate Change
Climate change impacts agricultural productivity, affecting food security and livelihoods globally.
Climate Justice
A movement that seeks fair treatment of all people, particularly marginalized communities, in the context of climate change.
Carbon Sequestration
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.
International Climate Agreements
Global accords aimed at addressing climate change, such as the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming.
Carbon Emissions
The release of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere as a result of human activities.
Deforestation
The large-scale removal of trees from forested areas, contributing to habitat loss and increased carbon emissions.
Climate Adaptation
Strategies and actions taken to adjust to the impacts of climate change, helping communities to cope with new realities.
Microplastics
Small plastic particles less than 5mm in size, which can harm marine life and enter the food chain.
Sustainable Agriculture
Farming practices aimed at producing food while preserving the environment and resources for future generations.
Carbon Trading
A market-based approach to control pollution by providing economic incentives for reducing emissions.
Climate Change Mitigation
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases to lessen the effects of climate change.
Biodiversity Loss
The decline in the variety of life on Earth, affecting ecosystems and resilience to environmental changes.
Green Technology
Innovative technologies that enhance environmental sustainability and reduce negative impacts on the planet.
Energy Efficiency
The use of less energy to provide the same service, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Hydroelectric Power
Energy derived from the movement of water, commonly used in renewable energy systems.
Urban Heat Island Effect
A phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.
Reforestation
The process of replanting trees in areas where forests have been cut down, helping to restore ecosystems.
Alternative Energy
Energy sources that are non-traditional and renewable, such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
Climate Resilience
The ability of a system to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate-related stresses and emergencies.
Sea Level Rise
The increase in the level of the world's oceans due to melting ice caps and glaciers as a result of global warming.
Geothermal Energy
Energy harnessed from the heat stored beneath Earth's surface, used for heating and electricity generation.
Circular Economy
An economic model aimed at eliminating waste and continual use of resources, promoting sustainability.
Fossil Fuel Divestment
The withdrawal of investments from fossil fuel companies to promote sustainable alternatives and combat climate change.
Carbon Offset
A reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere.
Q: What is global warming?
A: The long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, often referred to as global climate change.
Q: How does climate differ from weather?
A: Climate refers to long-term weather conditions in a specific area, while weather pertains to short-term atmospheric conditions.
Q: What does anthropogenic mean?
A: Caused or influenced by humans, often in the context of environmental changes like climate change.
Q: What is the greenhouse effect?
A: The process by which certain gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, keeping the planet warmer.
Q: What is radiative forcing?
A: The change in energy balance in Earth’s atmosphere due to various factors, including greenhouse gas concentrations.
Q: What does carbon neutrality involve?
A: Achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal or offsetting.
Q: What is proxy data?
A: Indirect evidence used to infer past climate conditions through natural phenomena like tree rings, ice cores, and sediment.
Q: Define permafrost.
A: Ground that remains completely frozen for at least two consecutive years, which can release greenhouse gases when thawed.
Q: What is a tipping point in climate science?
A: A critical threshold that, when crossed, results in significant and often irreversible changes in ecosystems or climate.
Q: What causes ocean acidification?
A: The decreasing pH level of Earth’s oceans caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Q: Describe El Niño.
A: A climate pattern characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
Q: What is La Niña?
A: A climate pattern characterized by cooler than average ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific, affecting global weather.
Q: What are fossil fuels?
A: Natural substances formed from decomposed plants and animals that are used for energy, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Q: What is a glacier?
A: A large mass of ice that moves slowly over land, which is shrinking due to global warming.
Q: What is a climate model?
A: A mathematical representation of the climate system used to simulate and predict future climate conditions.
Q: What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?
A: A UN body that assesses climate change science, its impacts, and strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
Q: What does CO2 concentration measure?
A: The amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, usually measured in parts per million (ppm).
Q: What is climate change mitigation?
A: Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases to limit global warming.
Q: Define adaptation in the context of climate change.
A: Adjusting practices, processes, and structures to minimize damage caused by climate change impacts.
Q: What are greenhouse gases?
A: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Q: What is renewable energy?
A: Energy sourced from natural processes that are continuously replenished, like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
Q: Define carbon footprint.
A: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.
Q: What is sustainable development?
A: Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Q: How does climate change impact agriculture?
A: Climate change affects agricultural productivity, impacting food security and livelihoods globally.
Q: What is climate justice?
A: A movement seeking fair treatment of all people, particularly marginalized communities, concerning climate change.
Q: How is carbon sequestration defined?
A: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.
Q: What are international climate agreements?
A: Global accords aimed at addressing climate change, such as the Paris Agreement, which limits global warming.
Q: What is deforestation?
A: The large-scale removal of trees from forested areas, leading to habitat loss and increased carbon emissions.
Q: Describe climate change adaptation strategies.
A: Strategies and actions taken to adjust to climate change impacts, helping communities cope with new realities.
Q: What are microplastics?
A: Small plastic particles less than 5mm in size that harm marine life and enter the food chain.
Q: What is sustainable agriculture?
A: Farming practices aimed at producing food while preserving the environment and resources for future generations.
Q: Define carbon trading.
A: A market-based approach to control pollution by providing economic incentives for reducing emissions.
Q: What is biodiversity loss?
A: The decline in the variety of life on Earth, affecting ecosystems and resilience to environmental changes.
Q: What is green technology?
A: Innovative technologies that enhance environmental sustainability and reduce negative impacts on the planet.
Q: What does energy efficiency mean?
A: The use of less energy to provide the same service, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Q: Explain hydroelectric power.
A: Energy derived from the movement of water, commonly used in renewable energy systems.
Q: What is the urban heat island effect?
A: A phenomenon where urban areas are warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.
Q: What is reforestation?
A: The process of replanting trees in areas where forests have been cut down, helping to restore ecosystems.
Q: Define alternative energy.
A: Non-traditional and renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
Q: What is climate resilience?
A: The ability of a system to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate-related stresses and emergencies.
Q: Describe sea level rise.
A: The increase in the level of the world's oceans due to melting ice caps and glaciers from global warming.
Q: What is geothermal energy?
A: Energy harnessed from the heat stored beneath Earth's surface, used for heating and electricity generation.
Q: What does circular economy aim to achieve?
A: An economic model aimed at eliminating waste and continual use of resources, promoting sustainability.
Q: What is fossil fuel divestment?
A: The withdrawal of investments from fossil fuel companies to promote sustainable alternatives and combat climate change.
Q: What is a carbon offset?
A: A reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere.