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ENV SCI U10 CLIMATE
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| CLIMATE | the long-term weather pattern in a region, typically averaged over 30 years |
| LATITUDE | a coordinate that specifies the north–south position of a point on the surface of the Earth -- it is given as an angle that ranges from −90° at the south pole to 90° at the north pole, with 0° at the Equator. |
| WIND | is the natural movement of air or other gases relative to a planet's surface |
| PREVAILING WINDS | a surface wind that blows predominantly from a particular direction . . . it is the result of global patterns of movement in the Earth's atmosphere. |
| TRADE WINDS | also known as easterlies, these are permanent east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in the Earth's equatorial region. They have been used by captains of sailing ships to cross the world's oceans for centuries. |
| EL NINO | global climate phenomenon from variations in winds & sea surface temperatures over the tropical Pacific Ocean. It does have some semblance of a cycle, but is not predictable. It primarily affects the climate of the tropics & subtropics. |
| LA NINA | this is the COOLING phase counterpart to EL NINO |
| OZONE LAYER | a region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere |
| CFCs (CLOROFLOUROCARBONS) | These chemicals contain chlorine, flourine, and carbon and have been widely used as refrigerants, propellants, gaseous fire suppression systems, and solvents. Use results in ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere. |
| OZONE HOLE | area of the Antarctic stratosphere in which ozone levels have dropped . . . the primary cause is the presence of chlorine-containing source gases (primarily CFCs and related halocarbons). |
| GREENHOUSE EFFECT | occurs when greenhouse gases in the atmosphere insulate the planet from losing heat to space, raising its surface temperature. |
| GREENHOUSE GASES | gases in the atmosphere that raise the surface temperature of the Earth . . . they absorb the wavelengths of radiation that a planet emits, resulting in the greenhouse effect. |
| GLOBAL WARMING | the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries |
| IPCC (INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE) | is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change |
| KYOTO PROTOCAL | an international treaty that commits parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on a consensus that global warming is occurring and that human-made CO2 emissions are driving it. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 12/11/97. |
| FOUR MAJOR GREENHOUSE GASES | The five most abundant in Earth's atmosphere, listed in decreasing order of average global mole fraction, are: water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone. |
| CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL WARMING | These could include more severe weather, higher death rates, dirtier air, more wildlife extinction, higher sea levels, more acidic oceans, etc. |
Created by:
kristin.miller
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