The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security Glossary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards related to the carbon cycle and energy security for geography study.

Adaptation Strategies

Strategies which adopt new ways of doing things in order to live with changes such as the likely outcomes of climate change.

Afforestation

The re-planting of trees when deforestation has occurred, or establishing forests on land not previously forested.

Albedo

The amount that heat is reflected by the Earth.

Anaerobic

Without oxygen.

Arctic Amplification

The phenomenon where the Arctic region is warming twice as fast as the global average.

Atmospheric

Related to the gases which form the air around the Earth.

Bilateral

Between two countries.

Biogeochemical Carbon Cycle

The continuous transfer of carbon from one store to another, through the processes of photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.

Biofuels

The general name for fuels produced from biomass, including plant material and animal waste.

Biological Carbon Pump

Where phytoplankton in the oceans sequester carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, pumping it out of the atmosphere and into the ocean store.

Biological Decomposers

Organisms such as insects, worms, and bacteria which feed on dead plants, animals, and waste.

Biologically Derived Carbon

Carbon which originally came from living organisms.

Biomass

Organic material.

Bitumen

A dense, viscous form of petroleum.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

The technological 'capturing' of carbon emitted from power stations.

Carbon Fixation

Turns gaseous carbon (CO2) into living organic compounds.

Carbon Sequestration

The removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere, usually in oceans, forests, and soils.

Carbonate Pump

A process which pumps CO2 out of the atmosphere and into the ocean store.

Chemical Weathering

The breakdown or decay of rocks involving a chemical change.

Chokepoints

A narrow sea channel or convergence where key transport routes can easily be disrupted.

Climate Engineering

Technological ways of intervening in the global climatic system to reduce global warming.

Combustion

Burning, often of biomass and fossil fuels, which releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Conservation Cropping

A method of farming involving growing crops using a no-tilling approach.

Coral Bleaching

When coral turns white because the water is too warm, causing algae to be ejected.

Critical Threshold

A point beyond which damage becomes irreversible.

Cultural Services

Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems, such as spiritual well-being, recreation, education, and science.

Decomposition

The breaking down of organic matter.

Ecosystem Services

Services that ecosystems provide, such as soil formation, food provision, and climate regulation.

Energy Deficit

When an area uses more energy than it produces.

Energy Mix

The range and combination of sources required to supply a country with energy.

Energy Pathway

The flow of energy between a producer and a consumer.

Energy Security

The ability to access reliable and affordable sources of energy.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

The increase in the natural greenhouse effect caused by human activities.

Equilibrium

Balanced, such as if the sources and sinks in the carbon cycle are equal.

Feedback Mechanisms

Processes which create either positive or negative feedback.

Finite

Indicates a limited amount.

Flux

The movement or transfer of carbon or water between stores.

Geological Carbon

Carbon which results from the formation of sedimentary carbonate rocks.

Geopolitical

The influence of geography on politics, especially international relations.

Gigatonne (Gt)

A way of measuring carbon, equivalent to one billion tonnes.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases such as CO2 and CH4 contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Devices which convert chemical energy in hydrogen to electricity.

Import

A product originating from another country.

Inorganic

Matter such as rock which has not derived from recently living organisms.

Kuznet's Curve

The concept that as economic development occurs, environmental degradation increases.

Leaching

The loss of nutrients from the soil by infiltration.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks created when sedimentary rocks metamorphose due to intense heating.

Mitigation Strategies

Strategies aimed at reducing the severity of adverse conditions.

Multi-lateral

Between many countries.

Natural Greenhouse Effect

Warming of the atmosphere from gases absorbing heat.

Negative Feedback

A change that reinforces stability within a system.

Net Primary Productivity

The amount of biomass produced by plants minus energy lost through respiration.

Non-renewable

A type of energy source which is limited and will eventually run out.

Ocean Acidification

The process of the ocean’s pH decreasing due to increased CO2 levels.

Oceanic

Relating to seas and oceans.

Oil Shale

Deposits of organic compounds in sedimentary rocks.

Organic Matter

Material derived from recently deceased plants and animals.

Out-gassing

Volcanic eruptions releasing terrestrial carbon into the atmosphere.

2015 Paris Agreement

The first legally binding global climate deal adopted by 195 countries.

Pathways

Flows of energy.

Peatlands

Areas of peat, which is partly decayed vegetation.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen soil and rock.

Petagram (Pg)

A way of measuring carbon, equivalent to one billion tonnes.

Photosynthesis

The use of energy from sunlight to produce nutrients from CO2 and water.

Players

Individuals, groups, and organisations involved in decision-making.

Pools

Another term for stores of carbon.

Positive Feedback

A change that leads to a decrease within a system, creating instability.

Pressure Groups

Organizations seeking to influence decision-making for a cause.

Primary Consumers

Organisms that feed on primary producers.

Primary Energy Sources

Sources consumed in their raw form.

Primary Producers

Green plants that use solar energy to produce biomass.

Primary Productivity

The rate at which plants produce biomass.

Provisioning Services

Products obtained from ecosystems, including food and fuel.

Radiative Forcing Effect (RFE)

The greenhouse gas effect on solar radiation balance.

Recyclable Sources

Energy sources which can be reprocessed.

Regulating Services

Benefits from the regulation of ecosystem processes.

Renewable Sources

Sources that are not limited and can be constantly reused.

Reservoirs

Another term for stores of carbon.

Respiration

Breathing, involving oxygen intake and CO2 release.

River Régime

The annual pattern of flow within a river.

Saline

Salty.

Secondary Energy Source

An energy source created from primary energy sources.

Shale Gas

Methane trapped in shales.

Stakeholders

Collective name for individuals and groups involved in decision-making.

Stocks

Another term for stores of carbon.

Stores

Where carbon is kept for a period of time.

Strike Price

A pre-determined minimum price for financial assets.

Supporting Services

Services maintaining ecosystem health.

Tar Sands

Naturally occurring mixtures of sand, clay, water, and bitumen.

Terrestrial

To do with the ground and earth.

Thermohaline Circulation

An ocean current producing vertical and horizontal circulations of warm and cold water.

Tonnes of Oil Equivalent

A unit for measuring all forms of energy compared to oil.

Transfer

To move from one place to another.

Transit State

A country through which energy flows to consumers.