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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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 an 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 seawater 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 critical 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 that 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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