Unit 8: Climate Change & Human Impact

Front

Carbon dioxide

Back

A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air (about 0.03 percent) and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.

Front

Fossil fuels

Back

Natural fuels such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

Front

Pollution

Back

The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.

Front

Greenhouse effect

Back

The trapping of the sun's warmth in a planet's lower atmosphere due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun than to infrared radiation emitted from the planet's surface.

Front

Climate

Back

The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.

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Endangered species

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Species of animals or plants that are at risk of extinction.

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Land use

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The management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as settlements and semi-natural habitats.

Front

Deforestation

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The action of clearing a wide area of trees.

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Acid precipitation

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Rain, snow, or fog that is polluted by acid in the atmosphere and damages the environment.

Front

Ice cores

Back

Cylindrical samples from ice sheets or glaciers that provide valuable information about past climates.