Unit 5 - Climate Change & Pollution

Greenhouse effect

The natural process where greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere

Enhanced greenhouse effect

The human-caused increase in greenhouse gases, leading to global warming

Carbon footprint

The total amount of CO2 emissions caused by an individual, organization, or country

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment

Point source pollution

Pollution from a single, identifiable source (e.g. factory)

Non-point source pollution

Pollution from multiple, diffuse sources (e.g. runoff from farms)

Eutrophication

The excessive growth of algae in water due to nutrient pollution (mainly nitrates and phosphates)

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

The amount of oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Toxic chemicals that do not break down easily and accumulate in the environment

Climate change

Long term alterations in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions

Albedo effect

The reflectivity of a surface; ice and snow have a high albedo, reflecting more sunlight

Tipping point

A threshold beyond which environmental changes become irreversible (e.g. melting permafrost releasing methane)

Ocean acidification

The absorption of CO2 by oceans, lowering pH and harming marine life

Mitigation

Actions to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emission

Carbon sequestration

Capturing and storing CO2 to reduce atmospheric levels

Adaptation

Actions to adjust to the effects of climate change

Carbon trading

A market based system where companies buy and sell permits for greenhouse gas emissions