Climate Change and Global Impacts

Vocabulary and key concepts from lecture notes regarding climate change scenarios, impacts, and mitigation strategies.

Scenario 1 (Natural Factors)

A climate scenario including natural changes in the Sun's energy, volcanic eruptions, and natural emissions of greenhouse gases, resulting in stable average global temperatures.

Scenario 2 (Natural and Anthropogenic Factors)

A climate scenario including both natural factors and human emissions of greenhouse gases, resulting in increased average global temperature, particularly over the last 50 years.

Proxy records

Sources of information such as ice cores that scientists use to identify variations in climate that occurred in the past.

Climate models

Complex computer models used to create simulations upon which climate projections are based.

Climate projections

Forecasts that predict what Earth's climate will probably be like under specific conditions.

Wind power

A clean energy source where wind turns the blades of turbines, powering generators to produce electricity.

Geothermal energy

Thermal energy from below Earth's surface used to heat buildings.

Solar power

The use of solar panels to absorb radiation from the Sun and convert it into electricity or to heat water.

Hydroelectricity

Energy produced by moving water, such as a waterfall, turning turbines to power generators.

Biofuels

Energy produced using plant-based fuels.

Nuclear power

Energy created by splitting the nuclei of atoms; while it does not emit greenhouse gases, it produces radioactive waste.

IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, formed in 1988 to evaluate the risks of human-caused climate change.

Albedo effect

The increase in Earth's energy absorption resulting from the melting of Arctic ice.

Mitigation

Actions taken to keep the climate from changing too drastically, such as switching to clean energy sources.

Adaptation

The process of planning for expected climate changes that will occur, such as dealing with heat waves or helping species migrate.

Kyoto Protocol

An international treaty setting short-term mitigation goals that was scheduled to expire in 2013.

Copenhagen Agreement

An agreement developed in 2009 intended to replace the Kyoto Protocol.

Carbon offset credits

Credits purchased in clean energy or reforestation programs to reduce fossil fuel burning or increase carbon sinks.

Stewardship

The careful management of something that one does not own, implying responsible management of the Earth for future generations.

Temperature Increase Goal

The limit of $2^{\circ}\text{C}$ in global temperature increase that most scientists agree is necessary to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change.

Greenhouse Gas Stabilization Concentration

The atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases required to stabilize at no more than $450\,\text{ppm}$ carbon dioxide equivalent to limit warming to $2^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Carbon sink

A mechanism, like healthy forests, that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Go Green Action Plan

Ontario's specific provincial plan containing steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.