| |
|
|
| |
|
ATMOSPHERE |
|
A mixture
of gases and particles that surround the planet. It provides us
with the air we breathe, its greenhouse gases retain the heat that warms
the Earth, and its protective layer of ozone shields us from the
damaging rays emitted by the sun. The atmosphere extends a few
hundred kilometres above the Earth's surface, and it is divided into
different layers. |
| |
|
CARBON
DIOXIDE (CO2) |
| A
colourless, odourless, tasteless gas found naturally in the
atmosphere. An excess build-up of carbon dioxide from human
activities is the main contributor to the intensified greenhouse effect. |
| |
|
CLIMATE |
| The
long-term, average weather conditions in a region, including
temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, cloud cover, etc. |
| |
|
CLIMATE
CHANGE |
| The
change in the average weather that a given region experiences.
Different areas of the globe will experience different changes, like
higher or lower temperatures, increased rainfall, more storm activity or
extended drought periods. Global climate change refers to changes
in all the interconnected weather elements of the Earth. |
| |
|
EMISSION |
| Gases
discharged into the air; e.g. from human industrial activity like a
smokestack or a car engine. |
| |
|
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY |
| When
electrical devices and industrial processes are designed in such a way
that the minimum amount of energy is needed to do their jobs. For
example, using fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs is
more energy efficient. |
| |
|
ENVIRONMENT |
| The
surroundings in which all plants, animals and humans live. |
| |
|
FOSSIL
FUELS |
| Coal,
oil and natural gas buried deep in the earth as a result of the
decomposition of ancient plants and animals that lived millions of years
ago. |
| |
|
GREENHOUSE
EFFECT |
| A
natural process that creates a balance between incoming sun rays
entering the Earth's atmosphere that are trapped (absorbed) by
greenhouse gases or reflected back into space. The natural
greenhouse effect moderates the Earth's temperatures and allows life as
we know it to exist (see Intensified Greenhouse Effect). |
| |
|
GREENHOUSE
GASES |
| Any
of the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by trapping heat
within the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4),
nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), water vapour and chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs). |
| |
|
INTENSIFIED
GREENHOUSE EFFECT |
| As
concentrations of human-made greenhouse gases increase, the natural
greenhouse effect intensifies. With a thicker greenhouse gas layer
encircling the Earth, temperatures will rise. |
| |
|
METHANE
(CH4) |
| The
major component of natural gas, and a normal trace gas in the
atmosphere. Methane is a major greenhouse gas and is released
through many human activities, e.g. through landfill waste, cattle
ranches, rice paddies, and incomplete combustion of natural gas.
Methane occurs naturally when plant and animal matter decompose. |
| |
|
POLLUTION |
| The
release by humans, directly or indirectly, of substances (including
gases) into the environment, which results or is likely to result in
damage to water, air or soil. |
| |
|
SMOG |
| A
haze found above cities in the summer when sunlight reacts with
pollutants in the air. Smog makes it difficult for many people to
breathe, causing respiratory health problems. |
| |
|
WEATHER |
| The
condition of the lower atmosphere at a particular place and time, in
terms of temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, cloud cover, air
pressure, etc. |
| |
| **These
definitions were taken from "Our Changing Climate: Learning
How to Take Charge of Climate Change at School, Home and in the
Community" - a Junior Level Curriculum Unit by the
TORONTO ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE. |
| |
|
|
| |
