Term
|
Definition
types of indirect evidence that serve as substitutes for direct measurements from a different time or place |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A type of proxy indicator -- scientists examine air bubbles from ancient atmospheres that are trapped in deep layers of ice by extracting columns from the ice, or "ice columns" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
programs that combine what is known about atmospheric circulation, ocean circulation, atmosphere-ocean interactions, & feedback loops. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
an international panel of scientists established by UNEP that issued the Fourth Assessment Report |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
consensus of scientific climate research that documents observed trends in climate change factors and predicts future changes based on further greenhouse gas emissions |
|
|
Term
United States Global Research Program |
|
Definition
created by congress to coordinate federal climate research. predicts many things, including:(1)average temps will rise 3-5˚(2)droughts and floods will worsen (3) snowpack will decrease--> water shortage (4)Sea level rise will cause loss of coastal wetlands and real estate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Hadley Model estimates less drastic temperature increases than Canadian Model, which estimates increases of up to 25˚ F. |
|
|
Term
Electricity Generation is... |
|
Definition
the number 1 largest contributor to US CO2 emissions (about 40%) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Fossil Fuel Combustion -50% of electricity comes from coal we can change to cleaner sources, but haven't yet |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
-62% lost to friction/engine heat -17% idling -5% inefficiencies -2% radio/AC appliances =_________________________ only 14% of fuel input goes toward movement |
|
|
Term
2 main ways to reduce emissions |
|
Definition
-conservation and efficiency -switching to cleaner renewable sources other notable ways include: -agricultural sustainablilty -sustainable forestry -waste management |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Outlined a plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels back in 1990s by 2000. It was on a voluntary basis, so many nations didn't comply |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
unlike the FCCC which was voluntary, this was a COMPULSORY agreement for signatories of the treaty to bring emission levels back down. US didn't sign -__- |
|
|
Term
Addressing Climate Change |
|
Definition
Because Bush Admin. didn't take action, states and local governments responded to popular desire for limiting greenhouse emissions by signing US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement; they would meet or beat Kyoto Protocol. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
practice used in Cap n' Trade policy. It is a voluntary payment to another entity intended to enable that entity to reduce the greenhouse emissions that one is unable or unwilling to reduce on their own. Basically, pay to be allowed more emissions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
trends and variation in Earth's climate, involving aspects such as temperature, precipitation, and storm frequency/intensity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
increase in Earth's average surface temperature (just one aspect of Global Climate Change) |
|
|
Term
Factors Influencing Climate Change |
|
Definition
there are natural effects, i.e. the sun, but primarily Fossil Fuel Combustion and Deforestation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Gases that absorb infrared adiation very effectively: Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone, CFCs |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
the warming of Earth's surface and atmosphere (especially trophosphere) caused by the energy emitted from greenhouse gases |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Burning Fossil Fuels, Deforestation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Microscopic droplets and particles that have either a warming or cooling effect. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Three periodic changes in the Earth's rotation (axial wobble, variation of tilt, variation of orbit) that alter the way solar radiation is distributed on Earth's surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
conditions are triggered when air pressure increases in western Pacific and decreases in easter Pacific. ( I like to think "El Nino=East, No.) ^_^ |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
North Atlantic Deep Water: Created by the loss of heat from warm currents arriving at Europe, which become colder and denser and sink. |
|
|