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Atmosphere
The layer of gases surrounding Earth, essential for life, provides oxygen, protects from UV radiation, and regulates temperature.
Troposphere
The lowest layer of the atmosphere where all weather phenomena occur.
Stratosphere
Layer of the atmosphere that contains the ozone layer, which absorbs UV radiation.
Ozone layer
Region within the stratosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
Mesosphere
Middle layer of the atmosphere where meteors burn up upon entry.
Thermosphere
Layer extending from 85 km to 600 km where temperatures increase significantly with altitude.
Exosphere
The outermost layer of the atmosphere, above 600 km, where the atmosphere is extremely thin.
Nitrogen
Inert gas that makes up 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.
Oxygen
Essential gas for respiration that constitutes 21% of the Earth's atmosphere.
Carbon Dioxide
Gas that is crucial for photosynthesis and a major contributor to the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse Effect
The process by which certain gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
Global Warming
The increase in Earth's average temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.
Climate
The long-term average of weather conditions over a period of around 30 years.
Weather
Short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific location.
Deforestation
The clearing of forests which releases stored carbon dioxide, exacerbating global warming.
Agriculture
The sector that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through livestock farming and crop production.
Mitigation
Strategies aimed at reducing or preventing greenhouse gas emissions.
Adaptation
Adjusting to the effects of climate change that are already occurring.
Renewable Energy
Energy sourced from natural processes that are continually replenished, such as solar and wind.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
The technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions and stores them underground.
Kyoto Protocol
The first legally binding international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Paris Agreement
A landmark international agreement aiming to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere due to human activities.
Ocean Acidification
The process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to increased carbon dioxide absorption.
Feedback Loops
Processes that can amplify or reduce the effects of climate change.
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Increased trapping of heat in the atmosphere due to higher concentrations of greenhouse gases due to human activities.
Extreme Weather Events
More frequent and severe weather phenomena caused by climate change.
Climate-Resilient Crops
Crops that are developed to withstand changing climatic conditions.
Infrastructure Improvements
Upgrades made to buildings and structures to handle impacts from climate change.
Chemical Reactions
Processes that lead to gas emissions, particularly in industrial activities.
Landfills
Sites for waste disposal that emit methane as organic waste decomposes.
Seawalls
Structures built to protect coastal areas from rising sea levels.
Solar Activity
Events such as sunspots and solar flares that can influence atmospheric conditions.
Meteors
Space rocks that burn up in the mesosphere when they enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Water Vapor
Gas in the atmosphere that varies in concentration and is crucial for weather patterns.
Carbon Sequestration
The process of capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere.
Sustainable Land Use
Practices that promote environmental health while reducing emissions.
Agricultural Practices
Methods used in farming that can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which provides assessments on climate change.
Climate Models
Simulations that predict future climate conditions based on various emission scenarios.
Albedo
The reflectivity of Earth's surface, which can influence temperature and climate.
Northern Lights
Natural light displays in the sky, occurring in the thermosphere due to solar winds.
Southern Lights
Similar to Northern Lights, occurring in the Southern Hemisphere.
Industrial Processes
Activities that often contribute significant amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
Methane
A potent greenhouse gas primarily released from livestock and agricultural practices.
Global Climate Models (GCMs)
Models that simulate the Earth’s climate system to predict future climate changes.
