Glossary Terms

Question 1

Bioaccumulation

Answer 1

The accumulation of substances such as pesticides in an organism

Question 2

Biodiversity

Answer 2

The variety of all life forms: plants, animals and microorganisms; the genes they contain; the ecosystems of which they form a part; and the processes that link them.

Question 3

Biosphere

Answer 3

All the life forms and environments on or near Earth’s surface that are capable of sustaining life.

Question 4

Carbon Cycle

Answer 4

The naturally occurring processes in which carbon is exchanged between organisms and the environment.

Question 5

Desertification

Answer 5

The expansion of deserts due to overgrazing, soil erosion, climate change or prolonged drought.

Question 6

Ecological

Answer 6

The relationship between living things (including people) and their physical environment.

Question 7

Ecological Footprint

Answer 7

The measure of human demands on the Earth’s ecosystems.

Question 8

Environment

Answer 8

The totality of our surrounding.

Question 9

Extinct (species)

Answer 9

A species of animal or plant that no longer exists.

Question 10

Fossil Fuels

Answer 10

A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

Question 11

Global Warming

Answer 11

The gradual rise in average temperatures brought about by an increase in the heat-absorbing gases present in the atmosphere.

Question 12

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 12

The atmospheric processes that maintain an average surface temperature of 15 degrees Celcius.

Question 13

Habitat

Answer 13

The physical environment in which a community of plants and animals lives.

Question 14

Land Degradation

Answer 14

The downgrading of the productive capacity of the land due to the activities of people.

Question 15

Pollution

Answer 15

The release of any hazardous, or potentially hazardous, substance into the environment.

Question 16

Poverty

Answer 16

The inability to meet the basic needs for food, clothing and shelter; the absence of money, goods or the means of subsistence.

Question 17

Sustainability

Answer 17

The ability to continue with minimal long-term effect on the environment.

Question 18

Aid

Answer 18

The transfer of resources and help from, usually, wealthy nation (donors) to less developed (receivers).

Question 19

Developed

Answer 19

A state that has reached a high level of economic progress.

Question 20

Development

Answer 20

Economic, social and political changes that improve the wellbeing of people.

Question 21

Economic Migrant

Answer 21

A person who moves location for a better job, lifestyle etc.

Question 22

Famine

Answer 22

A lack of food for a population.

Question 23

Global Indicators

Answer 23

A set of statistical measures that make a quantitative statement about human wellbeing e.g. income, health etc.

Question 24

Government Organisation

Answer 24

Any organisation run directly or indirectly by a government at any scale.

Question 25

Human Development Index (HDI)

Answer 25

A statistic, constructed using a range of measures that aims to summarise the state of development of a nation.

Question 26

Human Wellbeing

Answer 26

The quality of life of a population.

Question 27

Inequality

Answer 27

A marked difference between the living standards or state of being between two groups of people.

Question 28

Less Economically Developed Nation

Answer 28

A country with a low level of economic activity.

Question 29

More Economically Developed Nation

Answer 29

A nation with low birth and death rates and much higher than average economic standard of living.

Question 30

Non-Government Organisation

Answer 30

An organisation that has considerable scope and authority but is not part of the government structure e.g. Greenpeace.

Question 31

Overpopulation

Answer 31

A level at which the population exceeds the resources to maintain it.

Question 32

Population Pyramid

Answer 32

A graphical representation of a population divided by gender and age.

Question 33

Poverty

Answer 33

Lacking key resources for wellbeing, usually money.

Question 34

Refugee

Answer 34

A person forced to move away from their home by war, famine etc.

Question 35

Slum

Answer 35

An area of poor housing characterised by high population density and poor provision of resources.

Question 36

Social Justice

Answer 36

The study of access to justice in terms of geography and society.

Question 37

Standard Of Living

Answer 37

The extent to which a social or economic factor applies to a person or group of people. The goal would be to find a high standard of living i.e. access to healthcare, employment, housing etc.

Question 38

Territory

Answer 38

A piece of land within a border that can be controlled by its state authorities.

Question 39

Third World

Answer 39

An older term, increasingly less used, referring to the developing world.

Question 40

Under-Developed

Answer 40

A nation that has not fully developed its economy.

Question 41

Uneven Development

Answer 41

Changes in economic structures that seen more in one area than another.

Question 42

Welfare

Answer 42

Those factors in the control of societies that improve the standard of living, usually of the most disadvantaged.