Great Accelerations Vocab

Carbon Dioxide

A greenhouse gas that comes from burning fossil fuels, contributing to atmospheric imbalance and warming.

Climate Migration

Movement of people forced by climate change effects such as natural disasters or sea level rise, often affecting impoverished communities.

Climate Extremes

Changes in circulation systems that lead to more extreme weather conditions, including both heat and cold.

Coastal Dead Zones

Areas in the ocean with insufficient oxygen to sustain life, primarily caused by eutrophication.

Extinctions

Mass losses of species driven by rising temperatures, habitat loss, and ocean acidification.

Floods

Increasing rain and global temperatures resulting in more frequent and severe flooding events.

Heat Waves

Increases in the frequency and duration of heatwaves due to higher greenhouse gas levels.

Methane

A greenhouse gas that has increased due to melting permafrost and rising cattle populations.

Nitrous Oxide

A greenhouse gas primarily from agriculture, exacerbated by fertilizer use which leads to environmental harm.

Ocean Acidification

The process where CO2 reacts with ocean water to create carbonic acid, affecting marine life.

Ozone

A protective layer in the atmosphere that is thinning due to ozone-depleting substances like CFCs.

Pandemics and Zoonoses

Emergence of diseases as ecosystems are disrupted, causing closer contact between animals and humans.

Population

Rapid growth driven by technological and healthcare advancements, leading to increased resource consumption.

Sea Level Rise

An increase in sea levels due to melting glaciers and expanding oceans as a result of global warming.

Species Changes

Reduction in biodiversity caused by habitat loss, migration, and interbreeding.

Storm Intensity

Increased strength of storms due to warmer air holding more precipitation.

Water Shortages

Declining water availability due to population growth and rising agricultural demands amid increased drought.

Wildfires

Increased occurrence of wildfires fueled by higher temperatures and drought conditions, requiring better management.