lecture 1 basic terminologies Flashcards
What is the definition of weather?
The behavior of the atmosphere on a day-to-day basis in a relatively local area, including daily temperatures, humidity, sunshine, wind, precipitation, cloudiness, and rainfall.
How is climate defined?
Climate is usually defined as the average weather or the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period, typically 30 years.
What are greenhouse gases (GHGs)?
Atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change, including Water Vapor (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), and Ozone (O3).
What is the significance of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) in terms of global warming?
One pound of N2O warms the atmosphere about 300 times more than one pound of carbon dioxide does over a 100-year timescale.
What are anthropogenic GHGs?
Less prevalent but very powerful GHGs, including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
What is global warming?
The gradual increase observed in global surface temperature caused by anthropogenic emissions.
What is climate variability?
Natural variation in climate that occurs over months to decades, exemplified by phenomena like El Niño.
What is climate change?
A systematic change in the atmosphere over multiple decades, due to natural processes or anthropogenic changes.
What does the UNFCCC term ‘Climate Change’ refer to?
Human-induced changes in the atmosphere.
What is climate change mitigation?
Strategies and policies that reduce the concentration of GHGs by reducing their emissions or increasing their capture.
List examples of climate change mitigation strategies.
- Using fossil fuels more efficiently
- Switching to solar energy or wind power
- Improving the insulation of buildings
- Expanding forests and vegetation
What is climate change adaptation?
A process by which individuals, communities, and states seek to cope with the consequences of climate change.
What is environmental degradation?
The reduction in the capacity of the environment to meet social and ecological needs.
What defines a hazard?
A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity, or condition that may cause loss of life or property damage.
What does exposure refer to in the context of climate change?
The degree of stress upon a particular unit, represented as long-term change in climate conditions or changes in climate variability.
Define vulnerability in the context of climate change.
A set of conditions and processes that increase the likelihood that a community will be negatively affected by a hazard.
What is capacity in the context of climate change?
The combination of all strengths, attributes, and resources available within a community to achieve agreed goals.
What is a disaster?
A serious disruption to the functioning of a community causing widespread losses exceeding the community’s ability to cope.
Differentiate between a hazard and a disaster.
- Hazard: A dangerous situation that poses threats to human life
- Disaster: An event that causes damage to human life and property
What is resilience in the context of climate change?
The ability of a system/community/society to resist, absorb, adapt to, and recover from the effects of a hazard.
What is an Early Warning System (EWS)?
A set of capacities needed to generate and disseminate timely warnings about possible extreme events or disasters.
Define sustainable development.
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
