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Aerosols: a collection of airborne particles, usually less than 100th of a millimetre in size, which reside in the atmosphere. Afforestation: Planting of new forests on lands that have not historically contained forests. Anthropogenic: Resulting or caused by human activities. In the context of climate change this usually refers to emissions that are produced directly by humans. Atmosphere: The gases surrounding the Earth. The atmosphere is mostly made up by nitrogen (78.1%) and oxygen (20.9%), with trace gases such as argon, helium and greenhouse gases completing the rest of the mix. Biodegradable: Organic matter that can decompose or break down under natural conditions and the associated processes are referred to as biodegradable. For example, garden and food waste are biodegradable where as plastic bags and polystyrene cups are not. Biodiversity: The variety of life on earth, or that found within one particular ecosystem. Tropical rainforests and coral reefs both support a huge variety of species. It is a reason why steps should be taken to prevent deforestation and coral bleaching. Biofuel: Is a term for fuel that is derived from biomass. In general biofuel is made from sugar, starch, vegetable oils or animal fats. Biomass: Refers to living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Biosphere: The part of the Earth comprising all ecosystems and living organisms in the atmosphere, on land or in the oceans. Carbon Cycle: The movement and circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Is a naturally occurring gas in the earth’s atmosphere but is also a by-product of human activity such as burning fossil fuels and land-use change. It is the main anthropogenic greenhouse gas. Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e): The emissions of a gas, by weight, multiplied by its ‘global warming potential’. Carbon Footprint: Is the measure of the amount of carbon dioxide your activities add to the atmosphere. Carbon Sequestration: The uptake and storage of carbon. Carbon Taxes: A surcharge on the carbon content of oil, gas and coal that discourages the use of fossil fuels in an attempt to reduce CO2 emissions and encourage use of renewable energy sources. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): A greenhouse gas that is used for refrigeration, air conditioning, solvents or aerosol propellants. CFCs are an organic compound that contains carbon, chlorine and fluorine atoms and once in the upper atmosphere break down ozone and deplete the ozone layer. Climate: Refers to the long-term average weather conditions of a region (e.g. temperature, precipitation and wind). The World Meteorological Organisation’s standard is a 30 year average. Climate Change: Any significant change in measures of climate (e.g. temperatures, precipitation and wind) for an extended period (decades of longer). The concerns are that human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and changes to land surface, have altered the atmosphere’s composition faster than what is natural. Climate Models: Mathematical representation of the climate system, which allows computers to predict the future effects of climate change, such as sea level rise. Coral Bleaching: Coral reefs are colonies of millions of organisms living symbiotically with algae and are the bases for one of the most biological diverse ecosystems on the planet. Increasing ocean temperature and acidity places the coral under stress, which causes coral polyps to expel the algae and this leads to the coral bleaching of the polyps. Continues stress may kill the coral polyps and destroy the reef ecosystem altogether. Coral bleaching is seen as an early warning signal of changes in the ocean environment. Deforestation: Is the conversion of forested areas into non forest land use, such as arable land, pasture, and urbanisation. This process contributes between 18-25% of global greenhouse gas emissions on two fronts (i) the burning or decomposition of the wood releases carbon dioxide and (ii) trees that once stored carbon and removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are no longer present. Desertification: Land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from a number of factors including climatic variations and human activities. As the climate warms, many areas around the equator could see an increase in desertification, placing further pressure on food and water resources. Ecosystem: The collection of living and non-living components and processes that make up any part of the living world and include plants, animals, water and soil. Emissions: The release of a substance into the atmosphere – usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change. Emissions Trading: Countries and businesses are allocated a permit allowing them to produce a certain quantity of CO2 emissions. If it needs to exceed the permitted allowance it must buy additional CO2 allowances from another country or business that has produced less than its permitted emissions. Efficiency Ratings: All white goods and other household appliances now sold in the UK are required by law to carry a rating (graded A to G) to indicate their energy efficiency. El Nino: Widely discussed in climate change research, El Nino is a periodic warming of the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean that generally occurs every 3 – 5 years. The phenomenon causes abnormally warm surface ocean temperatures and can disrupt weather patterns throughout the tropics. Farmers’ Markets: Markets where producers sell fresh, locally grown produce. Purchasing from a farmers’ market helps to support your local community and cut down the number of air miles that your food has flown to reach the dinner plate. Fossil-Fuels: biomass lain down in the Earth millions of years ago, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which when burnt produce carbon dioxide. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): FSC is a widely used certification for timber and other products that originate from trees. The FSC logo indicates that the forest source is managed in a sustainable manner and will not contribute to global deforestation. Greenhouse Effect: The process in which the absorption of infrared radiation by the atmosphere warms the Earth. In common parlance, the term ‘greenhouse effect’ may be used to refer either to the natural greenhouse effect, due to naturally occurring greenhouse gases, or to the enhanced (anthropogenic) greenhouse effect, which results from gases emitted as a result of human activities (as per the IPCC definition). Greenhouse Gases: Gases in the atmosphere that absorb thermal infra-red radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere and clouds e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour. Global Warming: An average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns. Global Warming often refers to the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. Infrared Radiation: Is radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere and the clouds. It is also known as long-wave radiation. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): The IPCC was established jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organisation in 1988. It is an international body made up of leading climate scientists and government advisors from around the world. Kyoto Protocol: An international agreement adopted in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan. The Protocol sets binding emission targets for developed countries that would reduce their emissions on average by 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels. Landfill: The disposal of rubbish by burying it under the ground. Methane (CH4): A greenhouse gas that is estimated as 23 times more potent than that of carbon dioxide. Methane is produced through anaerobic decomposition of waste in landfills, animal digestion/waste, and the production and distribution of natural gas and petroleum. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): A greenhouse gas produced in the emissions of vehicle exhausts and from power stations. In the atmosphere nitrogen oxides can contribute to the formation of fog and are associated with health problems. Nitrous Oxide (N20): A greenhouse gas that has 296 times the global warming potential than carbon dioxide. The major sources of nitrous oxide include fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning and soil cultivation practices (e.g. organic fertilizers). Offsetting: Carbon offsetting is the principle that carbon emissions created by activities such as flying or driving can be ‘offset’ by donating money to various green projects, for example tree restoration projects. It is preferable to cut emissions in the first place and you should only consider credible carbon offsetting schemes as a last resort. Ozone Layer: The protective layer in the atmosphere, about 1.5 miles above the ground, which absorbs some of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The ozone layer plays a vital role in reducing the amount of potentially harmful radiation that reaches the earth’s surface. PPM (parts per million): Refers to the number of parts of chemical that can be found in one million parts of a particular gas, liquid or solid mixture. Polluter Pays Principle: The principle that the country, business or individual who causes environmental damage should be the one who pays for any clean up operation or damage caused. Reforestation: The planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to an alternate land use. Renewable Energy: Is energy produced by a source that, unlike fossil fuels, continually renews itself. The main sources are solar, wind and water, although it is an industry that looks likely to grow enormously in the near future. Sink: Any process, activity or mechanism that removes a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. The oceans are the largest carbon sink on the planet. Stern Report: Also known as the Stern Review, it is a 700 page report written by the economist Sir Nicholas Stern for the UK government and was published in October 2006. The report discusses the effects of climate change and global warming on the world economy. It concludes that global warming could shrink the global economy by 20% and that immediate action to combat its effects is required. Sustainable Development: Development that meets the cultural, social, political and economic needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (IPCC). United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC): The Convention on Climate Change establishes the overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenges associated by climate change. The Convention entered into force on 21st March 1994 and enjoys near universal membership, with 189 countries having ratified. Water Vapour: The most abundant greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. It plays an important part of the natural greenhouse effect. Needs work. Weather: The atmospheric condition at any given time or place. It is measured in terms of wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness and precipitation. |
