Climate Change Glossary
The Climate Change Glossary will provide you with all the important terms you need to know regarding climate change.
Although called the glossary, this page also acts as a mini encyclopedia for this website and can be considered as such.
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Climate Change Glossary
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Latest Additions to the Glossary
Haboob Definition
A haboob is a type of intense dust storm that is carried by an atmospheric gravity current.
Haboobs occur regularly in arid regions throughout the …
Carbon Intensity
Carbon intensity refers to the carbon emission per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Climate Change and Carbon Intensity In the Copenhagen Accord …
Wildfire Definition
A wildfire is any uncontrollable fire ignition that may take place in the countryside or in the wilderness.
There are certain factors that may cause …
Glacier Definition
A glacier is a huge mass of ice that originated from an accumulation of snow over many years.
It moves very slowly over land and is formed when snow …
Perennial Definition
Perennial refers to something that lasts throughout the year, or for many years.
For instance, permafrost is ground that stays perennially frozen …
Global Warming Potential Definition
The global warming potential (GWP) of a gas is measure of its total contribution to global warming .
More specifically, it measures the warming impact …
Tornado Definition
A tornado is a localized, violently destructive windstorm that occurs over land.
The powerful column of wind spirals around a center of low atmospheric …
Climate Definition
Climate refers to the average weather of an area over a period ranging from a few months to thousands or even millions of years.
The World Meteorological …
Atmosphere Definition
An atmosphere is a gaseous envelope that surrounds a material of sufficient mass and is held in place by gravity.
When discussing climate change or …
Thermal Expansion Definition
Thermal expansion can be defined as the increase in volume of matter when it is exposed to an increase in temperature.
This phenomenon occurs because …
Weather Definition
Weather refers to the atmospheric condition at a certain time or place.
Typically, weather is measured in terms of: wind temperature humidity …
Trace Gas Definition
A trace gas is a gas that makes up an extremely small portion of a mixture of gases. Trace Gas and Climate Change When discussing climate change , …
Sulfur Hexafluoride Definition
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) is a very powerful greenhouse gas .
In accordance with the IPCC ’s Fourth Assessment Report in 2007, sulfur hexafluoride …
Perfluorocarbons Definition
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are powerful greenhouse gases .
Essentially, perfluorocarbons are chemicals composed only of the elements carbon and fluorine. …
Hydrofluorocarbons Definition
Hydrofluorocarbons are compounds consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms.
Also known as HFCs, hydrofluorocarbons were first introduced …
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Definition
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are compounds consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and carbon atoms.
Although hydrochlorofluorocarbons are ozone depleting …
Chlorofluorocarbons Definition
Chlorofluorocarbons are compounds containing only carbon, chlorine, hydrogen, and fluorine.
Also known as CFCs, chlorofluorocarbons are greenhouse …
Ozone Definition
Ozone (O 3 ) is the triatomic form of oxygen.
First and foremost, ozone plays an important role in our atmosphere .
Essentially, ozone is created …
Nitrous Oxide Definition
Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is a powerful greenhouse gas .
In accordance with the IPCC ’s Fourth Assessment Report in 2007, nitrous oxide has a global …
Methane Definition
Methane (CH 4 ) is a hydrocarbon and an important greenhouse gas .
According to the IPCC ’s Fourth Assessment Report in 2007, methane has a global …
Water Vapour Definition
Water vapour , also spelled water vapor , is the gaseous form of water.
In an environmental context, this term is used to refer to the water vapour …
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , abbreviated as UNFCCC , establishes a global framework for countries around the world to …
Ultraviolet Radiation Definition
Ultraviolet radiation is an electromagnetic wave that lies just outside of the violet end of the visible spectrum.
An estimated 5% of the total energy …
Stratosphere Definition
The stratosphere is a region within the atmosphere that lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere.
Its upper boundary is at about 50 kilometers. …
Troposphere Definition
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere , extending from the surface of the Earth to about 10 kilometres in altitude, on average.
Essentially, …
Sink Definition
When discussing climate change or environmental issues, a sink refers to any process, activity or mechanism that could remove an aerosol , a greenhouse …
Alternative Energy Definition
Alternative energy refers to energy that is derived from non-traditional sources.
Hence, alternative energy includes compressed natural gas, solar …
Recycling Definition
Recycling refers to collecting a waste product and reprocessing it so that it can be consumed once again.
Recycling can also be defined as returning …
Photosynthesis Definition
Photosynthesis is an endergonic (energy requiring) process by which plants take in water, minerals, and carbon dioxide from the air (or bicarbonate in …
Permafrost Definition
Permafrost refers to ground that stays perennially frozen. In other words, it is ground that will remain frozen throughout the year.
Typically, …
Particulate Matter Definition
Essentially, particulate matter refers to tiny pieces of solid or liquid substances.
Examples include particles of aerosols, dust, fumes, mists, or …
Ocean Acidification Definition
Ocean acidification refers to the increase in acidity of sea water due to increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide .
Essentially, not all of the …
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , often abbreviated as IPCC , was established in 1988 by both the United Nations Environment Programme …
Greenhouse Gas Definition
A greenhouse gas is a gas that can absorb infrared radiation in the atmosphere .
As these gases take in infrared radiation, they trap heat within …
Greenhouse Effect Definition
The Greenhouse Effect refers to both the trapping and accumulation of the sun's heat within the troposphere , the layer of the atmosphere closest …
Enteric Fermentation Definition
Enteric fermentation is the process in which livestock produce methane via digestion.
In fact, as much as one third of the emissions from the agricultural …
Climate Feedback Definition
A climate feedback is a process that will either amplify or reduce climate forcing .
Climate forcing, also known as radiative forcing, refers to …
Feedback Mechanism Definition
Feedback mechanisms are factors which will alter the rate of a process.
Those that will increase or amplify a process are known as positive feedback …
Energy Efficiency Definition
Energy efficiency is using less energy while providing the same products and services.
Energy efficiency is an important step in helping stop climate …
Climate Model Definition
A climate model is essentially a representation of the many interactions within the climate which includes the atmosphere , oceans, land surface, …
Coral Bleaching Definition
Coral bleaching refers to the process in which a coral colony loses zooxanthellae, the microscopic algae, when under some form of environmental stress. …
Carbon Sequestration Definition
Terrestrial or biologic carbon sequestration refers to the process in which carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants.
Subsequently, trees and other …
Carbon Dioxide Definition
Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is the primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas responsible for global warming .
Although carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring …
Carbon Cycle Definition
The carbon cycle refers to the flow of carbon through the biosphere , pedosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.
There are five main reservoirs of carbon …
Biomass Definition
Biomass is a renewable energy source that consists of organic materials.
These organic materials can be either living or dead, below or above ground. …
Biofuel Definition
Biofuel is essentially a liquid or gas fuel made from biomass .
There are many types of biofuels including: agricultural waste ethanol blended …
Albedo Definition
Albedo is the amount of solar radiation reflected from an object or surface, usually expressed as a percentage.
In the context of climate change …
Global Warming Definition
Global warming is the increase in the average atmospheric temperature across our planet.
Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases via the greenhouse …
Climate Change Definition
Climate change may refer to three different things:
Firstly, climate change could be used to denote the study of the variations within the climate …
Abrupt Climate Change Definition
Abrupt climate change essentially refers to both rapid and significant changes in at least one climatic element (wind, temperature, or precipitation). …
Aerosols Definition
Aerosols are small liquid or solid particles that are suspended in gas.
Depending on their composition, this dispersion of small particles can absorb …
Anthropogenic Definition
Anthropogenic refers to what is caused or influenced by humans. When discussing climate change , it is often used to refer to emissions produced as …
Biosphere Definition
The biosphere is the sum of all ecosystems worldwide. An ecosystem consists of all living organisms and the abiotic or nonliving environment which supplies …
Deep Ecology Definition
Deep ecology (a term coined by Norwegian philosopher Arne Næss) considers the deep philosophical causes to the environmental crisis and that the cure …
Sustainable Development Definition
Sustainable development is development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. …
Hybrid Vehicle Definition
Often simply called a hybrid , a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that is powered by more than one distinct source.
For example, an automobile that combines …
Heat Wave Definition
A heat wave is a prolonged period of extremely high temperatures for a particular region. A Relative Term However, there exist no universal definitions …
Desertification Definition
Desertification is the degradation of land that could be used for agriculture or habitats, and is one of the most important environmental problems we are …
Drought Definition
A drought is a long period of abnormally low rainfall, especially one that is harmful to agriculture and the ecosystem. In some cases, it may have a devastating …
Tropical Storm Definition
A tropical storm is a cyclonic storm which originates from the tropics and has sustained winds ranging between 39 and 73 miles/hour (34 to 63 knots; 63 …
Hurricane Definition
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with a wind velocity greater than 74 miles per hour (it is stronger than a tropical storm ).
In order to specify …
Ozone Layer Definition
The ozone layer is the part of our atmosphere that traps heat from the sun and protects us from ultraviolet radiation .
More specifically, the …
Reforestation Definition
Reforestation consists of planting trees or entire forests on terrain that used to contain them.
Essentially, reforestation is used to bring back the …
Fossil Fuel Definition
Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon deposits that are burned for fuel.
Fossil fuels play an important role in: Food Production Heating (in some communities) …
Carbon Footprint Definition
The carbon footprint is the total set of greenhouse gas emissions we individually cause.
Often, when considering someone's carbon footprint, it …
Renewable Energy Definition
Renewable energy includes all forms of energy obtained from a natural and recurring force.
Essentially, renewable energy will help stop climate change …
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