Vocab Flashcards
Sustainability
using our resources in a responsible way to make sure that there are plenty of these resources for future generations.
Climate Feedback
domino effect/loop of processes that benefit or harm the environment
Positive Feedback
(BAD ☹)- Amplify/increase the effects of climate change
Negative Feedback
(GOOD ☺)- Diminish/decrease the effects of climate change
Greenhouse Effect
gases like CO2 absorb radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to global warming
Global Warming
increase in Earth’s atmospheric temperature
Mono culture Farming
producing/growing a single crop/plant species in a field at a time- no replenishing of nutrients (nitrogen)
Factory Farming
Livestock raised for profit- sometimes animals are indoors or in confinement
Environmental impacts
What would be the benefit of eating less or no meat?
Natural resources
Materials in the environment/nature that can be used for economic gain
Deforestation
The Permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses
Urbanization
Becoming more like a city- When populations grow, they may spill over from a city to nearby areas.
Fossil Fuels
Buried organic materials from decayed plants and animals that have been converted to crude oil, coal, or natural gas over hundreds of millions of years
Pollution
The introduction of harmful substances into the natural environment- soil, air, water, etc.
Non-renewable energy
Fuels such as coal, gas and oil which are mined from the earth and burned to produce energy- cannot be replaced when used up
Alternative Energy
Any energy that is an alternative to fossil fuel- wind, water, solar, etc.
