CCHS Climate and Climate Change Brown

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in an environment

Albedo Effect

The fraction of solar radiation reaching earth that is reflected back into space without changing the temperature of surface or wavelength of radiation. Can also be used more generally to describe the "reflectivity" of a surface.

anthropogenic

refers to pollutants originating from human activity

atmosphere

the envelope of gases surrounding the earth

biome

Large areas characterized by their wildlife, vegetation, and soil that have formed in response to a shared physical climate

carbon cycle

the movement of carbon through the earth system. While the total amount present in the earth system remains essentially constant, the amount in the atmosphere varies due increases or decreases in the processes that move it from sphere to sphere.

Climate

a description of aggregate weather conditions; the sum of all statistical weather information that helps describe the weather of a region, the "expected" norm against which this year's/today's weather can be compared. Usually graphically described in terms of monthly temperature and precipitation.

climograph

A plot of the temperature and precipitation in a particular region.

Conduction

The direct transfer of heat from one substance to another substance that it is touching.

Convection

The transfer of heat by mass movement or circulation within a substance

electromagnetic spectrum

All of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation from radio at the long end to gamma at the short end. Light, infrared, and UV are in the middle.

Fossil Fuels

a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

Greenhouse gas

A gas composed of molecules that absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation emitted from the Earth. Examples: CO2, Water Vapor, Methane

Insolation

All solar radiation (energy from the sun) that reaches Earth. "INcoming SOLar radiATION"

Radiation

The transfer of heat or energy by electromagnetic waves

Selective Absorber

gases that absorb specific wavelengths of energy and do not absorb any other wavelengths

Terrestrial radiation

longwave, infrared wavelengths emitted by earth materials after absorbing insolation and increasing molecular motion

UV radiation

radiation with a wavelength from 0.2 to 0.4 micrometers. Shorter than visible light, absorbed by ozone gas. Damaging to life.

Milankovitch Cycles

Changes in the shape earth's orbit, tilt, and wobble that cause glacial periods and interglacial periods.

Paris Agreement

Legally binding international treaty on climate change created by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)

Gulf Stream

A warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico northward through the Atlantic Ocean

Biosphere

Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of the Earth in which life exists.

Geosphere

The solid part of the earth (all rocks) consisting of the crust and outer mantle.

Hydrosphere

All the water at and near the surface of the earth, 97% of which is in oceans

ocean acidification

when CO2 dissolves in seawater, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which lowers ocean pH

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air (about 0.03 percent) and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.

greenhouse effect

Warming of our planet that results when solar radiation is trapped by the atmosphere (natural vs. human enhanced).

Weathering

The breaking down of rocks and other materials on the Earth's surface.

Respiration

The inhalation and exhalation of air. Also known as breathing. This is where oxygen is converted into carbon dioxide.

deforestation

The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves. This is one of the major causes for climate change today.

Methane (CH4)

Contributes to the greenhouse effect. Since 1750, methane has increased about 150% due to use of fossil fuels, coal mining, landfills, grazing animals (i.e., cows), etc. Has a greater warming power than carbon dioxide.

Carbon Reservoir

Places where carbon accumulates for a period of time, such as rocks and plant matter.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic, free-floating, organism whose shell is made of calcium carbonate. After the organisms die, they sink to the seafloor. Over time, layers of shells and sediment are cemented together and turn to rock, storing the carbon in stone—limestone .

visible light

Electromagnetic radiation that can be seen with the unaided eye. This radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and clouds.

infrared radiation

Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths that are longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves. Insolation that is absorbed by earth's surface is re-radiated into the atmosphere.

Wind Currents

Winds can blow steadily in a specific direction for long periods of time bring similar weather patterns each time.

ocean currents

a movement of ocean water that follows a regular pattern

Latitude

Distance north or south of the equator

Longitude

Distance east or west of the prime meridian

pressure belts

separate bands of high and low pressure, found about every 30 degrees of latitude

natural greenhouse effect

Without this the earth would be too cold to support the forms of life we find here today.

human enhanced greenhouse effect

less heat escapes into space due to more carbon dioxide in atmosphere, resulting in more retained heat

Carbon

the chemical element, which has two main forms (diamond and graphite) and which also occurs in impure form in charcoal, soot, and coal

gyre

the large, circular surface-current pattern found in each ocean