climatology final (my final straw)

Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)

Scenarios that describe different climate futures based on varying greenhouse gas concentration trajectories.

Four primary RCPs

RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5.

RCPs and carbon dioxide concentrations

RCPs correspond to carbon dioxide concentration levels ranging from low (2.6) to high (8.5) emissions scenarios.

Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)

Scenarios that describe possible future socioeconomic conditions influencing climate change and responses.

Using SSPs and RCPs together

SSPs are used to explore the implications of different socioeconomic developments in the context of climate change scenarios provided by RCPs.

Two primary factors leading to sea level rise

Thermal expansion of seawater and the melting of land-based ice.

Six Americas

A segmentation of American public opinion on climate change, characterized by different levels of concern and engagement.

Social cost of carbon

The economic cost associated with the impacts of emitting one additional ton of carbon dioxide.

Command and control regulations

Government regulations that set specific limits on pollution emissions.

Cap and trade

An environmental policy that allows companies to buy and sell allowances to emit a certain amount of pollutants.

Price on carbon

A financial charge on greenhouse gas emissions, aimed at reducing overall carbon emissions.

Fossil fuels

Natural substances formed from decomposed organic materials, including coal, oil, and natural gas.

Advantages of fossil fuels

High energy density and established infrastructure for extraction and use.

IPCC

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which assesses scientific information related to climate change.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

An annual meeting of countries that are parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Paris Agreement

An international treaty aiming to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.

Climate crisis as a biodiversity crisis

It threatens numerous species and ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity.

Climate crisis as a water crisis

Changes in climate patterns disrupt freshwater availability and water quality.