Curbing Climate Change & Its Impacts – Lecture Vocabulary

40 vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts, terms, gases, epochs, impacts, and responses discussed in the climate-change lecture.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration in the state of Earth’s climate system that persists for decades or longer.

Global Warming

Current trend of rising average global temperatures due to increased greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

Atmospheric gas (e.g., CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) that traps heat and contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse Effect

Warming of Earth as GHGs absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, acting like an insulating blanket.

Atmosphere

Layer of gases surrounding Earth; one of the climate subsystems affected by GHGs.

Hydrosphere

All liquid water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers; absorbs heat and CO₂.

Cryosphere

Frozen water part of Earth (ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice, snow).

Lithosphere

Earth’s rigid outer crust and upper mantle; interacts with climate over geologic time.

Biosphere

Zone of all living organisms on Earth, influenced by and influencing climate.

Anthropogenic Climate Change

Climate change caused or accelerated by human activities, especially post-industrialization.

Industrial Revolution

19th-century shift to mass manufacturing and fossil-fuel energy that triggered rapid GHG rise.

IPCC

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; UN body assessing climate science and impacts.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Major GHG (≈76 % of emissions) from fossil fuel use, industry, and deforestation.

Methane (CH₄)

Potent GHG (≈16 % of emissions) released from agriculture, waste, and fossil extraction.

Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

GHG (≈6 % of emissions) emitted mainly by fertilizer use and industrial processes.

Fluorinated Gases

Synthetic, high-global-warming-potential gases from refrigeration and other industries.

Holocene

Current geological epoch (~11,700 yrs) with relatively stable climate supporting humans.

Pliocene

Epoch ~3 million years ago; CO₂ concentrations similar to today, temps 2–3 °C higher, sea level ~25 m higher.

Paris Agreement

2015 global treaty aiming to limit warming well below 2 °C, pursuing 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

1.5–2 °C Temperature Limit

Target range scientists deem critical to avoid worst climate impacts.

Sea Level Rise

Increase in average ocean level from thermal expansion and melting ice sheets/glaciers.

Ocean Acidification

Decrease in seawater pH as oceans absorb excess atmospheric CO₂, harming calcifying species.

Ocean Warming

Increase in ocean heat content; drives coral bleaching, stronger storms, and sea-level rise.

Extreme Weather Events

More intense/frequent heatwaves, hurricanes, floods, and droughts linked to climate change.

Carbon Emission Sources by Sector

Energy (20 %), industry (12 %), agriculture/land use (10 %), transport (8 %), buildings (3 %), waste, etc.

Carbon Emission Sources by Geography

Disproportionate GHG output from high-emitting nations; others emit less but often face greater impacts.

Deforestation

Removal of forests, reducing CO₂ uptake and adding ~11 % to global CO₂ emissions.

Food-Water-Energy Nexus

Interconnected challenge of sustainably supplying food, water, and energy under climate pressure.

Cascading Impacts

Series of linked effects where primary climate changes trigger secondary social, ecological, or economic consequences.

Climate Change Mitigation

Efforts to reduce or prevent GHG emissions (e.g., renewable energy, efficiency).

Climate Change Adaptation

Adjustments in systems or behaviors to lessen harm from present or expected climate effects.

Engineering Design Uncertainty

Challenge of designing infrastructure amid shifting hazard frequency and magnitude due to climate change.

Indigenous Knowledge

Traditional observations and stories offering insights into environmental change and hazard history.

Climate Change Learning Outcomes

Ability to define climate change, describe its causes, and explain its impacts—key study focus.

Ice-Free Arctic

Projection that with 2 °C warming, Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer once per decade.

Ice Age

Extended period of widespread glaciation; evidence shows natural but slow climatic shifts over millions of years.

Ocean Heat Absorption

Process where oceans take up over 90 % of excess heat, moderating air temps but altering marine systems.

Coral Bleaching

Loss of symbiotic algae from coral due to heat or acidification stress, leading to reef decline.

Shell Dissolving

Chemical erosion of shells of oysters, clams, etc., as lower pH reduces carbonate availability.

Mass Extinction Events

Historical episodes where >75 % of species vanished; two occurred before the Holocene, highlighting climate’s impact on life.