Vocabulary related to Climate Change
Termes Essentiels et Expressions

"The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere."

"Sunlight passes through the atmosphere, warming the Earth's surface. Some of this heat radiates back toward space, but greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate it, warming the planet."

"Key greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and water vapor (H₂O)."

"This effect is essential for life on Earth as it maintains temperatures suitable for living organisms."

"However, human activities have increased greenhouse gas concentrations, enhancing this effect and causing global warming."

"Global warming refers specifically to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly greenhouse gas emissions."

"Climate change is a broader term that encompasses global warming but also includes changes in precipitation patterns, wind patterns, and other climate variables."

"Global warming focuses on temperature increase, while climate change describes the comprehensive shifts in Earth's climate system."

"Global warming is one of the primary drivers of climate change, but climate change encompasses the full range of consequences."

"A carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced to directly and indirectly support human activities."

"It is typically measured in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂e) over a specified period."

"Personal carbon footprints include emissions from transportation, energy use at home, food consumption, and purchasing decisions."

"Examples: Driving a car produces about 0.4 kg CO₂ per km, eating beef generates 27 kg CO₂ per kg of meat, and taking a round-trip flight from Paris to New York emits approximately 1.2 tons CO₂."

"Clean energy, green energy, sustainable energy, alternative energy, and eco-friendly energy are synonyms for renewable energy."

"Clean energy emphasizes low environmental impact, green energy highlights environmental benefits, and sustainable energy focuses on long-term availability."

"Sources include solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, biomass, and tidal energy."

"Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources do not deplete and produce significantly fewer emissions."

"Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees to make room for other land uses, such as agriculture, ranching, urban development, or logging."

"Major causes include clearing land for cattle ranching, soybean farming, palm oil plantations, and urban expansion."

"Effects include loss of biodiversity, disruption of water cycles, soil erosion, and contribution to climate change through carbon release."

"Forests act as carbon sinks, so deforestation releases stored carbon and reduces the planet's capacity to absorb CO₂."

"Sea level rise refers to the increase in global mean sea level over time, primarily caused by thermal expansion of seawater and melting of ice sheets and glaciers."

"Two main factors contribute: thermal expansion (water expands as it warms) and addition of water from melting ice on land."

"Current rates are approximately 3.3 mm per year, with acceleration observed since the 1990s."

"This threatens coastal communities, increases flooding risks, and contributes to saltwater intrusion in freshwater supplies."

"Sustainability means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

"The three pillars are: Environmental protection, Social equity, and Economic development (often called People, Planet, Profit)."

"Environmental sustainability focuses on preserving ecosystems, reducing pollution, and conserving natural resources."

"Social sustainability emphasizes fair labor practices, community health, education, and cultural preservation."

"Economic sustainability promotes viable business practices that support long-term prosperity without depleting resources."

"Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon deposits formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that lived millions of years ago."

"The three main types are coal, petroleum (oil), and natural gas, each formed under different geological conditions."

"They formed when organic matter was buried under layers of sediment and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years."

"When burned, fossil fuels release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing significantly to climate change."

"Extreme weather events are unusual weather phenomena that deviate significantly from expected patterns in terms of intensity, frequency, or duration."

"Examples include hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, floods, heat waves, cold snaps, and severe storms."

"Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of many extreme weather events by altering atmospheric and oceanic patterns."

"These events cause significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and human settlements, leading to economic losses and displacement of populations."

"Environmental policy consists of laws, regulations, agreements, and plans designed to protect the environment and manage natural resources sustainably."

"Goals include reducing pollution, conserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and promoting sustainable development."

"These policies operate at local, national, and international levels, including agreements like the Paris Climate Accord."

"Common instruments include emission standards, carbon taxes, renewable energy incentives, and protected area designations."