Climate Change Terminology

Any long-term, significant change in the weather patterns of an area.

A combination of fog and smoke or other atmospheric pollutants which makes the fog thick. It is dangerous to living things and damages lungs.

All the waters on the earth's surface. (Includes Groundwater, snow, ice, and water in the atmosphere)

Any combustible organic material derived from the remains of former life.

Atmospheric heat caused by the trapping of the sun's warmth in the earth's lower atmosphere.

An unusual hot weather which tends to stay for an extended period of time.

A cycle in which water circulates between the earth's hydrosphere and the atmosphere.

Sandstone combined of clay, sand, water, and bitumen which is then refined into oil.

Greek word meaning "man made." Effects, Processes of material that are resulting from human activities.

Shortage of water resulting from an abnormally low rainfall through a long time period.

The process where carbon is exchanged between organisms and the environment.

When millions of gallons of water, sand, and chemicals are pumped underground to break rock surfaces and release gas. This is dangerous because the waste fluids can pose a threat underground or on earth's surface.

Man made Greenhouse effect. Humans cause greenhouse gassed to be released into the atmosphere, which thickens the atmosphere and traps heat inside the earth.

Diseases that are transmitted through drinking or bathing in water.

A period of the year that has favourable climate conditions for plant growth in a certain area.

A resevoir where chemicals containing carbon are stored. Carbon sinks remove carbon from the atmosphere.

The amount of solar radiation that is reflected back to space from a surface on earth.

All the radiation that comes from the sun. There is a wide range of solar radiation (earth's tilt).

Land that is capable of growing crops. It has a fresh water supply, nutrients in the soil, and suitable climate.

A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect. Ex. Carbon dioxide, Methane, etc.

The process of a fluid rising and sinking as it gets hotter and cooler.

Something that removes heat from the atmosphere

Ontario's mandatory vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program which aims to reduce car emissions, reduce fuel consumption and improve people's health.

A US program which helps save energy from homes and appliances. "Energy Star" Homes and appliances are enviromentaly friendly.

Program which plants trees in neighbourhoods to help the environment.

Homes program provides grants up to $5 000 to make their old homes more energy efficient.

An international organization of scientists who asses and reports on climate change.

Glacial Ice: Ice that is or once was a part of a glacier byt has broken off.

Polar Ice: A region of land that is covered in ice.

The changes: They are melting/ breaking apart due to climate change

Height of the ocean's surface between high and low tides.

Sea Levels have risen due to melting ice and cause floods.

The patterns of air movement. Can help determine the effects of climate change.

The analysis of tree rings can show the changes in climate.

Ice cores analysis can show records of long term temperature and atmospheric gasses

Fossils of plants, rocks, etc, can tell about climate change.