Climate Change and the Environment Overview

The long-term changes in global weather patterns due to increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Events like extreme heatwaves, droughts, and intense storms that are caused by climate change.

The process where the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, becoming more acidic.

The period of time when temperatures are above freezing, allowing for plant growth.

The gradual rise in sea levels due to melting glaciers and ice sheets.

A point where a small change in a system leads to a significant and often irreversible shift.

The cyclical movement of warm and cold water currents in the Atlantic Ocean.

The release of methane gas, a powerful greenhouse gas, from thawing permafrost.

The thin layer of Earth where life exists, encompassing the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

A geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on the Earth's systems, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

The costs that are not included in the price of a good or service, but are borne by society as a whole.

The unintended consequences of human actions that affect the environment, often leading to negative outcomes.

International conferences held by the United Nations to address environmental issues and promote sustainability.

The process of reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.

The process of adapting to the effects of climate change that are already happening.

A crucial debate regarding the timing of climate action: whether to prioritize immediate action or delay action while focusing on adapting to consequences.

A measure used in cost-benefit analysis to assess the present-day value of future benefits.

The point at which global greenhouse gas emissions reach their peak and start to decline.

A model that analyzes the economic costs of climate change and the benefits of mitigating it.

A global conference held annually to discuss climate change and coordinate international action.

A report that emphasized the urgent need for action on climate change due to its economic consequences.

The process of clearing forests for other land uses, like agriculture or development.

Forests that have never been logged or significantly disturbed by humans, containing a high diversity of plant and animal life.

The practice of planting trees to restore degraded areas.

Forests that have been cut down and regrown, typically less diverse and healthy than primary forests.

Forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate climate.

Safe access to water sources that are properly managed, located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination.

The struggle for control and use of water resources between nations, often driven by scarcity and geopolitical factors.

The condition where the demand for freshwater exceeds the available supply, leading to limitations in human activities and environmental issues.

The fluctuation in mineral prices influenced by factors such as supply and demand, technological advancements in mining, and external costs.

The costs of environmental damage associated with mineral extraction, not fully reflected in market prices.

The reliance of industrialized nations on specific mineral resources from other countries, creating vulnerabilities in supply chains.

Strategies to reduce dependence on specific resources by improving efficiency, recycling, and substituting materials.

The process of extracting minerals from the earth, often with significant environmental impact, and the potential for depletion of resources.

The Kyoto Protocol was the first international treaty to legally bind participating countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It aimed to reduce emissions by 5% compared to 1990 levels by the years 2008-2012.

Despite setting legally binding emissions targets for developed countries, the Kyoto Protocol didn't include any limits for developing nations like China and India. Instead, these countries were encouraged to promote sustainable growth.

The Kyoto Protocol aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% compared to 1990 levels by the years 2008-2012. However, it faced significant challenges, including the lack of participation from major emitters like the USA, China and India.

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, replaced the Kyoto Protocol as the primary global framework for addressing climate change. Unlike its predecessor, Paris emphasized a universal, legally binding agreement with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally to 1.5 degrees.

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally to 1.5 degrees. This ambitious target requires significant changes in energy production and consumption, as well as adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The Paris Agreement emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in tracking global progress towards climate action goals. This includes regular reviews of national climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), to assess their effectiveness in achieving the overall objectives.

The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation measures, particularly for developing countries, to cope with the impacts of climate change. It underscores the need for supportive policies, financial assistance and capacity building to help these nations adapt and build resilience.

The Paris Agreement recognizes the crucial role of cities, regional authorities, and local communities in driving climate action. It encourages collaboration and shared responsibility across different levels of governance to effectively address the challenges of climate change.