Climate Change and Environment Flashcards
Grade 9 · Social Studies · Flashcards
Essential terms for understanding climate change and environmental issues.
Flashcards
- Climate change
- Long-term shifts in global temperature and weather patterns, primarily driven by human greenhouse gas emissions.
- Greenhouse effect
- Gases like CO2 and methane trap solar heat in Earth's atmosphere, warming the planet.
- Greenhouse gases
- Gases (CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor) that trap heat in the atmosphere; human emissions have intensified this effect.
- Fossil fuels
- Coal, oil, and natural gas formed from ancient organisms; burning them releases CO2 and drives climate change.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Primary greenhouse gas from fossil fuel combustion; atmospheric levels have risen 50% since industrialization.
- Paris Agreement
- 2015 accord where ~196 nations pledged to limit global warming to 1.5–2°C above pre-industrial temperatures.
- Renewable energy
- Energy from natural, replenishing sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal) with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
- Climate justice
- The idea that the least-responsible and most-vulnerable communities deserve equitable consideration in climate action.
- Sea level rise
- The gradual increase in ocean levels from melting glaciers/ice sheets and thermal expansion; threatens coastal regions.
- Carbon footprint
- The total amount of greenhouse gases generated by an individual, organization, or activity.
- Deforestation
- The large-scale removal of forests; releases stored CO2 and reduces Earth's capacity to absorb carbon.
- Sustainability
- Meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Get a personalized course on Climate Change and Environment built around your child.