Wading through the terminology in some environmental reports can be a daunting task for even the most avid environmentalist. Below are some terms that may help make the experience a little less overwhelming.
Acid rain
Rain that contains acids from industrial gas emissions combined with water. Pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released by industry and return to the ground through rain, lowering the pH on the ground (making it more acidic). The change in pH can have a big impact on sensitive species in the area.
Adaptive capacity
How well a system can adjust to or cope with the consequences of climate change.
Aerosols
Airborne solid or liquid particles in the atmosphere that last for at least a few hours. Aerosols can be either natural or caused by humans. They affect the climate by either scattering or absorbing radiation and influencing the formation and properties of clouds.
Anthropogenic emissions
The greenhouse gases, gas precursors and aerosols produced by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Biofuel
Fuel taken from organic matter or oils from plants such as alcohol, black liquor, wood and soybean oil.
Biodiversity
Defined within a particular area, it is the number and relative abundance of genes, species and ecosystems in that area.
Biosphere
The biosphere contains all ecosystems (terrestrial and marine) and all living organisms, plus the dead organic matter generated such as litter, soil matter and oceanic debris.
Carbon dioxide
A gas that is both naturally occurring and a by-product of burning fossil fuels and industrial processes. It is the greenhouse gas principally produced by human activity and affects the balance between incoming and outgoing solar radiation.
Carbon footprint
Measured in units of carbon dioxide, it represents the effects of human activity on the climate in the form of greenhouse gases produced.
Carbon neutral
The balance between producing and using carbon dioxide emissions, it is also known as carbon offsetting. You offset carbon use by buying offset credits or investing in planting trees and green technologies.
Climate change
A significant difference in the average climactic state or the amount of variation in the climate for an extended period of time. It can be caused by natural changes or external influences, but is generally perceived as being attributable directly or indirectly to human produced changes in the atmosphere and land use.
Climate sensitivity
How significantly a ecosystem will change in response to a change in climactic conditions.
Compact fluorescent
Used as an alternative to incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent lights convert ultraviolent energy to visible light. They also last significantly longer and are much more energy efficient than incandescent lights, which expend the majority of the energy used producing heat.
Conservation
Producing, using, transmitting and distributing energy efficiently, such that less energy is used while the same level of service is maintained. Conservation can also be defined as preserving and managing the environment and natural resources and habitats.
Contaminant
Any material not belonging where it is found, often associated with a chemical or infectious agent, it can also apply to a species not in its natural habitat. A contaminant is generally harmful to humans or other life forms above acceptable levels.
Coral bleaching
Abrupt changes in temperature, salt concentration and the cloudiness of the water that cause physiological shock in coral, making them pale in colour as the symbiotic algae is lost.
Cryosphere
All snow, ice and permafrost in a selected climate system, including under the surface of the earth and ocean.
Ecology
The relationship between organisms and their environments.
Ecosystem
The system formed by living organisms interacting with their physical environment. The boundaries, and therefore the extent of an ecosystem vary greatly and are generally defined depending upon the focus of interest or study.
Emission
The release of greenhouse gases, their precursors and aerosols into the atmosphere in a given area over a specific period of time.
Fossil fuel
Coal, oil and natural gas, which are fuels that come from fossil carbon deposits.
Global warming
An increase over time in the average temperature of the planet's atmosphere and oceans.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs)
The natural and human produced parts of the atmosphere that absorb and emit infrared radiation. They include water vapour, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and ozone. Those produced solely by humans include halocarbons and those containing chlorine and bromine.
Habitat
A localized part of the environment that describes where an organism or species tends to live.
Hemp
A tough plant fiber usually derived from Cannabis or similar plants, often used to make ropes and fabrics.
Organic products
Crops, livestock and agricultural products that are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, drugs or hormones.
Ozone
An atmospheric gas that is the triatomic form of oxygen. It is created naturally and by human produced smog and is harmful in high concentrations. It is considered a greenhouse gas at certain altitudes in the atmosphere and influences incoming and outgoing ultraviolet radiation.
Photosynthesis
The metabolic process by which plants turn carbon dioxide into plant material, releasing oxygen.
Pollution
A natural or human induced change (such as the introduction of toxic chemicals) in the environment that makes it harmful to living things normally found there.
Recycle
Taking used or abandoned material and using it to make new products.
Renewable resource
Energy sources such as solar power, hydropower, and wind energy that are sustainable over the short term.
Respiration
The metabolic process by which organisms meet their internal energy needs and release carbon dioxide. (ipcc.ch)
Sustainable development
Development that meets today's needs without weakening the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Volatile organic compounds
Compounds released into the atmosphere by plants or through the use of oil products, which are involved in ozone production.
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