Climate Change Concepts - GEOG 203

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to climate change as discussed in the GEOG 203 lecture.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Temperature Anomaly

The difference between measured temperature and a baseline average temperature.

Holocene

The current geological epoch, which began approximately 11,700 years ago after the last major ice age.

Little Ice Age

A period of cooler temperatures that lasted from the 14th to the mid-19th century.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Diurnal Temperature Range

The difference between the daily maximum and minimum temperatures.

Arctic Sea Ice

Ice that forms in the Arctic Ocean, covering the sea surface and acting as an indicator of climate change.

Glacier Retreat

The process of glaciers shrinking in size due to melting or insufficient snowfall.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming; its concentration in the atmosphere has increased significantly since the industrial age.

General Circulation Models (GCMs)

Numerical models used to simulate Earth's climate and forecast future climate conditions.

Projected Temperature Rise

Estimates predicting an increase in average global temperature over a specified timeframe.