Glossary
Albedo
The reflectivity of a surface, indicating the proportion of incident solar radiation that is reflected rather than absorbed.
Example:
Fresh snow has a high albedo, reflecting most sunlight, which helps keep polar regions cool, while dark ocean water has a low albedo and absorbs more heat.
Atmospheric & Oceanic Circulation
The large-scale movement of air and water currents around the Earth, driven by uneven solar heating, which distributes heat from the equator to the poles.
Example:
The global atmospheric & oceanic circulation patterns, like the Gulf Stream, play a crucial role in regulating regional climates worldwide.
Habitat Loss
The destruction or degradation of natural environments, making them unable to support the species that live there.
Example:
Melting polar ice due to climate change directly causes habitat loss for iconic species like polar bears and seals, impacting their survival.
Ice Cores
Cylinders of ice drilled from glaciers or ice sheets that contain trapped air bubbles and other materials, providing a historical record of Earth's climate.
Example:
Scientists analyze ice cores from Antarctica to reconstruct past atmospheric CO2 levels and temperatures over hundreds of thousands of years.
Negative Feedback Loop
A process in which the output of a system acts to reduce or counteract the original change, helping to stabilize the system.
Example:
Increased atmospheric CO2 leading to more plant growth, which then absorbs more CO2 from the atmosphere, is an example of a negative feedback loop.
Permafrost
Ground (soil, rock, or sediment) that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years.
Example:
Thawing permafrost in the Arctic can release vast amounts of trapped methane and carbon dioxide, further accelerating global warming.
Positive Feedback Loop
A process in which the output of a system intensifies or amplifies the original change, leading to further deviation from an equilibrium state.
Example:
The melting of Arctic sea ice is a classic positive feedback loop: as ice melts, less sunlight is reflected, leading to more heat absorption and further melting.
Rising Sea Levels
The increase in the average global sea level, primarily caused by the thermal expansion of water and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.
Example:
Coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to flooding and erosion due to rising sea levels, threatening infrastructure and freshwater supplies.