Global Climate Change and Biodiversity Lecture

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering global climate change, international agreements, biodiversity loss, and conservation laws.

Greenhouse Effect

The process where greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit outgoing infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$)

The most abundant and concerning greenhouse gas, primarily sourced from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.

Methane ($CH_4$)

A greenhouse gas produced by cows through enteric fermentation, as well as by landfills and rice paddies.

Nitrous Oxide ($N_2O$)

A greenhouse gas primarily sourced from agricultural fertilizers.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Greenhouse gases used in refrigerants and aerosols.

Keeling Curve

A graph showing the steady rise in $CO_2$ since 1958, with small zig-zags representing seasonal plant growth.

Ocean Warming

The absorption of approximately $90$% of excess heat by the oceans, which occurs slowly due to the high specific heat of water.

Ocean Acidification

The process where $CO_2$ reacts with water to form carbonic acid, lowering pH and reducing the availability of carbonate ions for shell-building.

Thermal Expansion

A major cause of sea level rise occurring because water expands as its temperature increases.

Mitigation

Efforts to reduce the causes of climate change, such as utilizing renewable energy or carbon sequestration.

Adaptation

Adjustments made to deal with the effects of climate change, such as building sea walls or planting drought-resistant crops.

Kyoto Protocol

A binding international agreement that failed because the US did not follow it.

Paris Agreement

A non-binding international agreement where individual countries set their own climate goals.

IPCC

The global scientific panel that studies climate data and emphasizes that climate change is human-caused and urgent.

HIPCO

An acronym for the five major causes of biodiversity loss: Habitat loss, Invasive species, Pollution, Climate change, and Overharvesting.

Habitat Loss

The number one cause of species extinction, driven by activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread rapidly because they reproduce quickly, are generalists, and lack natural predators in their new environment.

Coral Bleaching

A stress response to warm water where corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae algae, turning white and potentially starving.

Zooxanthellae

Symbiotic algae that provide coral with food through photosynthesis and give them their color.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

A law that protects species and their habitats while banning harm or trade involving those species.

Lacey Act

A law that prevents the illegal trade of wildlife.

CITES

An international agreement designed to regulate the trade of endangered species.

Ecosystem Approach

A conservation method that focuses on protecting an entire habitat rather than just a single species.

Habitat Corridor

A connection between fragmented habitats that allows animals to move, find mates, and increase gene flow.