Climate Change Key Terms

Question 1

Deforestation

Answer 1

The removal of trees, leading to surface runoff and soil erosion and reducing soil water stores

Question 2

Afforestation

Answer 2

Planting or replanting trees. Trees act as carbon sinks, removing CO2 through photosynthesis and storing it within their biomass or the soil.

Question 3

Carbon Sink

Answer 3

Anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases e.g., the ocean

Question 4

Carbon Source

Answer 4

Anything that releases more carbon than it absorbs

Question 5

Mitigation

Answer 5

Any method used to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases

Question 6

Carbon capture and storage (CCS)

Answer 6

The technological ‘capturing’ of carbon emitted from power stations. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is compressed into a liquid and is then pumped and stores several kilometres into the ground.

Question 7

Carbon Farming

Answer 7

Where one type of crop is replaced by another that has greater productivity and can absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Question 8

Enhanced Greenhouse affect

Answer 8

Rising global temperatures due to greenhouse gases being put into the atmosphere because of human activities

Question 9

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Answer 9

An international organisation set up by the UN to share knowledge about climate change.

Question 10

Carbon Trading Schemes

Answer 10

These are a type of international agreement. Countries and businesses are given a limit on the emissions they can produce. If they produce less they can sell the extra credits, if they produce more they need to buy more credits.

Question 11

Energy conservation

Answer 11

The decision and practice of using less energy. Turning lights off, installing double glazing, using the car less, buying energy efficient appliances, are all examples.