Responding to climate change Definitions

Question 1

Biomass

Answer 1

the mass of living biological organisms in a given area or ecosystem at a given time

Question 2

Reforestation

Answer 2

the practice of restoring previously existing forests and woodlands that have been destroyed or damaged

Question 3

Carbon capture and storage(CCS)

Answer 3

the process of capturing carbon dioxide(CO₂) is collected at emission sources(e.g. power plants, industrial facilities, etc.), transporting and then storing or burying it in a deep underground location

Question 4

Transnational corporation(TNC)

Answer 4

a company which operates in two or more countries

Question 5

Decarbonization

Answer 5

the process of reducing carbon dioxide(CO₂) emissions associated with energy production or consumption

Question 6

Ocean fertilization

Answer 6

the process of adding nutrients(mainly nitrogen, phosphorus and iron) to the upper layers of the ocean to stimulate phytoplankton activity(photosynthesis) in an attempt to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels

Question 7

Desalination plant

Answer 7

an industrial facility for the extraction of fresh water from saltwater by the removal of salts(usually by distillation)

Question 8

Vulnerability

Answer 8

the degree to which people are susceptible to, or unable to cope with, the adverse effects of climate change

Question 9

Exposure

Answer 9

the degree to which people are exposed to climate change

Question 10

Sensitivity

Answer 10

the degree to which people could be harmed by exposure to climate change

Question 11

Adaptive capacity

Answer 11

the degree to which they people could mitigate the potential harm by taking action to reduce their exposure or sensitivity

Question 12

Mitigation

Answer 12

attempts to reduce the causes of climate change

Question 13

Carbon tax

Answer 13

a tax levied on greenhouse gas emissions

Question 14

Carbon trade

Answer 14

the buying and selling of credits that permit a company or other entity to emit a certain amount fo carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases

Question 15

Carbon market

Answer 15

a trading system in which carbon credits are sold and bought

Question 16

Energy efficiency

Answer 16

the process of achieving a greater output per unit of energy input

Question 17

Photovoltaic(PV) cell

Answer 17

an electronic device that converts sunlight(photons, specifically) into electricity

Question 18

Upwelling

Answer 18

a process in which currents bring deep, cold water to the surface of the ocean

Question 19

Forest carbon stock

Answer 19

the amount of carbon that has been sequestered from the atmosphere and is now stored within the forest ecosystem(mainly within living biomass and soil, and to a lesser extent also in dead wood and litter)

Question 20

Carbon offset schemes

Answer 20

programmes that allow individuals, companies and governments to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by investing in projects that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of CO₂ or other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere

Question 21

Civil society

Answer 21

the aggregate of non-governmental organizations, community groups, and other voluntary associations that exist independently of the government and the market and which promote social interests, advocacy and community engagement