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Glossary of Climate Change Terms

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Glossary of Climate Change Terms

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1. Reforestation

Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.The ability of a surface material to reflect sunlight including the visible - infrared - and ultraviolet wavelengths.

2. Natural Variability

Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.The ability of a surface material to reflect sunlight including the visible - infrared - and ultraviolet wavelengths.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun.

3. Hydrocarbons

The ability of a surface material to reflect sunlight including the visible - infrared - and ultraviolet wavelengths.Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun.

4. Reflectivity

The ability of a surface material to reflect sunlight including the visible - infrared - and ultraviolet wavelengths.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.

5. Ice Core

Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.A cylindrical section of ice removed from a glacier or an ice sheet in order to study climate patterns of the past. By performing chemical analyses on the air trapped in the ice - scientists can estimate the percentage of carbon dioxide and other trace gases in the atmosphere at a given time. Analysis of the ice itself can give some indication of historic temperatures.Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.

6. Heat Island

7. Oxidize

8. Relative Sea Level Rise

The increase in ocean water levels at a specific location - taking into account both global sea level rise and local factors - such as local subsidence and uplift. Relative sea level rise is measured with respect to a specified vertical datum relative to the land - which may also be changing elevation over time. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.

9. General Circulation Model (GCM)

Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.A global - three-dimensional computer model of the climate system which can be used to simulate human-induced climate change. GCMs are highly complex and they represent the effects of such factors as reflective and absorptive properties of atmospheric water vapor - greenhouse gas concentrations - clouds - annual and daily solar heating - ocean temperatures and ice boundaries. The most recent GCMs include global representations of the atmosphere - oceans - and land surface. See climate modeling. Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.

10. Climate Lag

Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.The delay that occurs in climate change as a result of some factor that changes only very slowly. For example - the effects of releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere occur gradually over time because the ocean takes a long time to warm up in response to a change in radiation. See climate - climate change.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.

11. Chlorofluorocarbons

Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Gases covered under the 1987 Montreal Protocol and used for refrigeration - air conditioning - packaging - insulation - solvents - or aerosol propellants. Since they are not destroyed in the lower atmosphere - CFCs drift into the upper atmosphere where - given suitable conditions - they break down ozone. These gases are being replaced by other compounds: hydrochlorofluorocarbons - an interim replacement for CFCs that are also covered under the Montreal Protocol - and hydrofluorocarbons - which are covered under the Kyoto Protocol. All these substances are also greenhouse gases. See hydrochlorofluorocarbons - hydrofluorocarbons - perfluorocarbons - ozone depleting substance. Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun.

12. Carbon Dioxide Equivalent

Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.A metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based upon their global warming potential (GWP). Carbon dioxide equivalents are commonly expressed as "million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MMTCO2Eq)." The carbon dioxide equivalent for a gas is derived by multiplying the tons of the gas by the associated GWP. MMTCO2Eq = (million metric tons of a gas) * (GWP of the gas) See greenhouse gas - global warming potential - metric ton.

13. Ocean Acidification

Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in sea water causing a measurable increase in acidity (i.e. - a reduction in ocean pH). This may lead to reduced calcification rates of calcifying organisms such as corals - mollusks - algae and crustaceans.

14. Weather

Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Atmospheric condition at any given time or place. It is measured in terms of such things as wind - temperature - humidity - atmospheric pressure - cloudiness - and precipitation. In most places - weather can change from hour-to-hour - day-to-day - and season-to-season. Climate in a narrow sense is usually defined as the "average weather" - or more rigorously - as the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands or millions of years. The classical period is 30 years - as defined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature - precipitation - and wind. Climate in a wider sense is the state - including a statistical description - of the climate system. A simple way of remembering the difference is that climate is what you expect (e.g. cold winters) and 'weather' is what you get (e.g. a blizzard). See climate.

15. Storm Surge

16. Stratospheric Ozone

17. Heat Waves

A prolonged period of excessive heat - often combined with excessive humidity. [9]Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.

18. Forcing Mechanism

A process that alters the energy balance of the climate system - i.e. changes the relative balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation from Earth. Such mechanisms include changes in solar irradiance - volcanic eruptions - and enhancement of the natural greenhouse effect by emissions of greenhouse gases. See radiation - infrared radiation - radiative forcing.Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun.

19. Natural Gas

Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Underground deposits of gases consisting of 50 to 90 percent methane (CH4) and small amounts of heavier gaseous hydrocarbon compounds such as propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10).Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.

20. Industrial Revolution

Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.A period of rapid industrial growth with far-reaching social and economic consequences - beginning in England during the second half of the 18th century and spreading to Europe and later to other countries including the United States. The industrial revolution marks the beginning of a strong increase in combustion of fossil fuels and related emissions of carbon dioxide. Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun.

21. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.A group of chemicals composed of carbon and fluorine only. These chemicals (predominantly CF4 and C2F6) were introduced as alternatives - along with hydrofluorocarbons - to the ozone depleting substances. In addition - PFCs are emitted as by-products of industrial processes and are also used in manufacturing. PFCs do not harm the stratospheric ozone layer - but they are powerful greenhouse gases: CF4 has a global warming potential (GWP) of 7 - 390 and C2F6 has a GWP of 12 - 200. The GWP is from the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). These chemicals are predominantly human-made - though there is a small natural source of CF4. See ozone depleting substance.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.

22. Sulfate Aerosols

Particulate matter that consists of compounds of sulfur formed by the interaction of sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide with other compounds in the atmosphere. Sulfate aerosols are injected into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and the eruption of volcanoes like Mt. Pinatubo. Sulfate aerosols can lower the Earth's temperature by reflecting away solar radiation (negative radiative forcing). General Circulation Models which incorporate the effects of sulfate aerosols more accurately predict global temperature variations. See particulate matter - aerosol - General Circulation Models. Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.

23. Phenology

Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. The timing of natural events - such as flower blooms and animal migration - which is influenced by changes in climate. Phenology is the study of such important seasonal events. Phenological events are influenced by a combination of climate factors - including light - temperature - rainfall - and humidity.Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.

24. Biosphere

Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.The part of the Earth system comprising all ecosystems and living organisms - in the atmosphere - on land (terrestrial biosphere) or in the oceans (marine biosphere) - including derived dead organic matter - such as litter - soil organic matter and oceanic detritus. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.

25. Radiative Forcing

Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.Variations in the mean state and other statistics (such as standard deviations or statistics of extremes) of the climate on all time and space scales beyond that of individual weather events. Natural variations in climate over time are caused by internal processes of the climate system - such as El Ni?o - as well as changes in external influences - such as volcanic activity and variations in the output of the sun. Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.A measure of the influence of a particular factor (e.g. greenhouse gas (GHG) - aerosol - or land use change) on the net change in the Earths energy balance.

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