Environmental Science and Climate Change Flashcards
Grade 12 · Science · Flashcards
Essential environmental science vocabulary for Grade 12 Science.
Flashcards
- Greenhouse effect
- Atmospheric gases absorb outgoing IR radiation and warm Earth's surface; CO₂, CH₄, H₂O are key greenhouse gases.
- Global warming
- Long-term rise in Earth's average temperature driven by increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
- Carbon cycle
- Movement of carbon through atmosphere (CO₂), biosphere (photosynthesis/respiration), and lithosphere (fossil fuels/rocks).
- Ocean acidification
- Oceans absorb CO₂ → carbonic acid → lower pH; threatens coral reefs and shell-forming organisms.
- Ozone depletion
- CFCs destroy stratospheric ozone; allows more UV radiation to reach Earth; linked to increased skin cancer rates.
- Biodiversity
- Variety of life at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels; essential for ecosystem services and resilience.
- Deforestation
- Clearing of forests; releases stored carbon as CO₂; destroys habitat; reduces biodiversity and water cycling.
- Renewable energy
- Energy from sources that naturally replenish: solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass.
- Carbon footprint
- Total GHG emissions attributable to an individual or activity, expressed in CO₂ equivalents.
- Thermal pollution
- Discharge of heated water into natural bodies, reducing dissolved oxygen and harming aquatic life.
- Eutrophication
- Nutrient (especially nitrogen/phosphorus) runoff causes algae blooms; algae decomposition depletes oxygen; kills fish.
- Paris Agreement
- 2015 global climate accord; 196 signatories commit to reducing emissions to limit warming to 1.5–2°C above pre-industrial.
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