Climate Flashcards
weather def
Atmospheric conditions that we can actively feel and experience (temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed and direction, etc)
- Always applicable to a comparatively short period of time (hours, days or a few weeks) and to particular locations or regions
climate def
Average weather phenomena in a selected place, a large region or across the entire globe
- Over a period of at least 30 years
- Climate is a slow, more stable system
- Changes occur, but at a slower pace
- Determined by a variety of factors (e.g. atmosphere, sun, ocean current)
greenhouse effect def
the gas layer surrounding earth radiates back some of the thermal radiation from earth
- Natural process
- Causes average temperature increase of 33 degrees Celsius (+15 in stead of -18)
- High gas emissions strengthen the effect
- More CO2 and NO2 since beginning of industrialization
effects of climate change
- Increased air and sea temperature
- Melting ice –> rising sea levels
- Accelerating global water cycle: evaporation rate –> water content in atmosphere –> more frequent and intense heavy rainfall
- Reduction of fresh water reservoirs –> negatively impacting agricultural production
- Reduced biodiversity
- More risk of parasites and pathogens
effects of climate change on health
- Worse air quality/ pollution
- Changes in vector ecology (infectious diseases)
- Increasing allergens
- Worse water quality
- Reduced food security and safety
- Environmental degradation
- Extreme weather (heat, floods, rainfall, wildfires etc.)
opportunities for action
- Mitigation: actions to reduce emissions that cause climate change
- Sustainable transportation
- Energy efficiency/ renewable energy
- Adaptation: actions to manage the impact of climate change
- Flood protection
- Infrastructure and building design
- Disaster management and business continuity
- Prevention for risk groups