Global Climate 1. Climate

Climate

The average weather conditions in a specific area over long periods of time.

Weather

The daily conditions of a certain area described in terms of temperature and precipitation.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural process where certain gases in the atmosphere keep heat near Earth and prevent it from radiating into space.

Solar Insolation

The amount of sun rays an area receives at a given time.

Latitude

A measurement of a place’s distance from the equator, affecting its climate.

El Niño

Warm ocean waters in the Pacific causing extreme weather, such as heavy rain in some areas and drought in others.

La Niña

Cool ocean waters leading to opposite effects of El Niño: dry areas get wetter, and wet areas get drier.

Topography

The surface characteristics of an area, including features like mountains, rivers, and lakes.

Altitude

The height of an area which affects its air temperature; higher altitude typically means cooler temperatures.

Climate Change

Changes in temperature, rainfall, wind patterns, and storm frequency occurring over time.

Global Warming

An aspect of climate change characterized by rising temperatures.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of carbon dioxide emissions for which an individual or group is responsible.

Mitigation

Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, addressing the causes of global warming.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement seeking to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gases

Gases such as H2O, CO2, CH4, N2O, and O3 that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Cap and Trade

A market-based approach for controlling pollution by providing economic incentives for reducing emissions.

Carbon Sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.