Albedo:the fraction of solar energy that is reflected from the Earth back into space.
global warming:The warming of the earth's troposphere because of increases in the concentrations of one or more greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide, etc.). It can result in climate change that can last for decades to thousands of years. Although there are natural processes that lead to global warming in small quantities, the current global warming crisis is due mostly to human activities including transportation, plants and factories, and heating buildings.
greenhouse gases:Gases in the earth's troposphere that cause the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide (CO2), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Ozone (O3), Methane (CH4), water vapor, and nitrous oxide (N2O).
emissions:60% of emissions comes from Carbon Dioxide, 15% Methane, 12% Ozone, 8% CFC, 5% Nitrous Oxide
methane:Greenhouse gas. About a third of global methane emissions come from natural sources such as from plants, wetlands, and termites, but the rest comes from human sources, primarily rice paddies, landfills, oil and natural gas wells, and cows farts. Ice core analysis reveals that 60% of methane emissions in the past 275 years are the result of human activities.
Chlorofluorocarbons:Organic compounds made up of atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. An example is Freon-12, which is used as a refrigerant in refrigerators and air conditioners and in making plastics. Gaseous CFCs can deplete the ozone layer in the stratosphere when they slowly rise and their chlorine atoms react with ozone molecules. Their use is being phased out... Used to be used in aerosol cans, etc.
CO2:Greenhouse gas. Levels are increasing exponentially at a rapid rate. It is estimated that 450 ppm of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere is a "tipping point" that could set in motion large-scale climate changes for hundreds to thousands of years. The United States has been responsible for 25% of the world's cumulative CO2 emissions.
Carbon sequestration:Removing CO2 from the smokestacks of coal-burning power and industrial plants and then storing it somewhere else. It could be pumped deep underground into coal beds and abandoned oil and gas fields (eeek!)
cap and trade system/emissions trading:Placing a cap on human-generated CO2 and CH4 emissions, issue permits to emit these pollutants, and then let polluters trade their permits in the marketplace.
global climate and ocean currents:Oceans cover some 71 per cent of the Earth and absorb about twice as much of the sun's radiation as the atmosphere or the land surface. Ocean currents move vast amounts of heat across the planet - roughly the same amount as the atmosphere does. Oceans are also carbon sinks, but as temperature increases, the solubility of CO2 decreases (positive feedback loop)
global climate change and specialist species:Species that are only able to inhabit specific niches will go extinct as the global temperature rises and their habitats change. Coral reefs, coastal wetlands, arctic & alpine tundra, polar seas are most susceptible to change. Net primary production patterns have changed due to less cloud cover and increased solar radiation. There may be problems by creating a mismatch in the timing of breeding and peak food production if the phenology of prey species does not shift in accordance.
global climate change and glaciers:Over the past 50 years, arctic temperatures have risen almost twice as fast as average temperatures in the rest of the world have risen (because ice melted and the ocean is darker?)
Hope this helps!
good luck!
