FURTHER RESOURCES
Glossary
A
acid rain
It’s not only the carbon in fossil fuels that is burned to form an oxide. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are also products that can created problems. Dissolved in water, the solution forms an acid, which can dissolve materials such as limestone, harm plants and alter the pH of soils and water supplies.
air pollution
Chemical, biological or particulate matter that changes the characteristics of the atmosphere. Two examples of harmful air pollution are car exhausts emitting carbon monoxide and coal burning producing sulphur dioxide.
atmosphere
The mixture of gases surrounding the Earth, any star or planet.
abatement
Any action to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. Abatement acts on a global level over long time scales, slowing the rate of climate change and delaying or deferring the date of impact and its magnitude. While we may individually contribute only a small amount to global emissions, as good global citizen we must take responsibility for our own emissions and work to reduce them.
adaptation
Any action to respond to the anticipated or actual conditions related to climate change. Such strategies can reduce our vulnerability to a change in climate at the local and regional level and over short time scales. They allow communities to develop a capacity to avoid or minimize the negative effect of climate change.
C
carbon dioxide
A colourless odourless gas formed by the burning of carbon compounds or breathed out by animals in respiration. The burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) to create electricity and produce fuel for transport is increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
carbon neutral
Being carbon neutral means that you produce no net emissions of carbon such as carbon dioxide or methane either directly or indirectly.
carbon trading
The buying and selling of permits allowing people to emit set amounts of carbon in the atmosphere
chlorofluoro-carbons(CFCs)
These chemical compounds have no natural source: they are produced entirely by human activity. Even though CFC production has been vastly reduced (previously used in aerosol cans and refrigerators), they will remain in the atmosphere for a long time.
climate
The long-term average weather pattern of a region.
climate change
Changes to the climate systems such as the current global warming.
D
direct impact
Something that has a direct and instant impact on the earth e.g. bushfires, major volcanic activity.
E
energy
The power which lets people and machines move, or provides light and heat.
emissions
Sending gases out into the atmosphere.
emission target
Limitations to reduce the release of air-borne substances.
emission trading
Under an emissions trading scheme, limits (or caps) are set on the amount of a pollutant (greenhouse gas) that can be emitted. Companies or groups are given credits that represent the right to emit a specific amount. (Linked to carbon trading)
enhanced greenhouse effect
The increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activity leading to climate change.
F
fugitive emissions
Emissions resulting from transporting energy from generators to customers (e.g. through powerlines).
G
gases
A gas is one of the states of matter, consisting of particles well spaced and moving randomly and rapidly in all directions.
greenhouse gases
Gases that absorb heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. There are around 30 greenhouse gases, of which CO2, methane and water are currently considered to be the most important.
Greenhouse effect
The Greenhouse Effect refers to the change in temperature an atmosphere displays as certain gases trap heat. This extra heat changes the rate of movement of air and ocean currents, makes their masses expand and increases the rate of ice melting and evaporation.
global warming
The warming of Earth’s surface through an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
H
hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)
Gases that are used in aerosol cans, air conditioners, production of aluminium and magnesium and in semi conductor manufacture.
I
indirect impact
Something that has secondary impact on lifestyles, ecosystems, societies and cultures.
K
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a global agreement that aims to limit greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-caused) interference with the climate system. It was developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
M
methane (CH4)
A naturally occurring gas generated by (Greenhouse gas) bacteria that break down organic matter. The main sources of methane production are the digestive processes of livestock, the cultivation of rice, escaping natural gas and decomposing waste in garbage dumps or landfills, and volcanic and geothermal activity.
N
nitrous oxide N2O (Greenhouse gas)
A gas that forms when fossil fuels are burnt under certain conditions.
O
ozone (O3)
A colourless gaseous substance obtained (as by the silent discharge of electricity in oxygen). It is an allotropic form of oxygen, containing three atoms in the molecule instead of the more abundant form, O2.
P
pollution
Dirt or harmful substances in the air, water or soil.
S
smog
Is a mixture of smoke and fog produced by industry, motor vehicles, incinerators and open burning. Smog hangs around over densely populated cities.
stationary energy
Energy used to heat, cool and light our houses, offices and other buildings.
sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) and Per fluorocarbons (PFCs)
Gases created by processes such as aerosol use, air conditioners, production of aluminium and magnesium and used in semi conductor manufacture.
W
weather
The state of the air or atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness, or any other meteorological phenomena; meteorological condition of the atmosphere; as, warm weather; cold weather; wet weather; dry weather, etc
Source: ACT Department of Territory & Municipal Services, Educating for Sustainability through the ACT Curriculum – Climate Change for a Sustainable Future, Canberra, pp19-20
See http://www.sustainableschools.act.gov.au
acid rain
It’s not only the carbon in fossil fuels that is burned to form an oxide. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are also products that can created problems. Dissolved in water, the solution forms an acid, which can dissolve materials such as limestone, harm plants and alter the pH of soils and water supplies.
air pollution
Chemical, biological or particulate matter that changes the characteristics of the atmosphere. Two examples of harmful air pollution are car exhausts emitting carbon monoxide and coal burning producing sulphur dioxide.
atmosphere
The mixture of gases surrounding the Earth, any star or planet.
abatement
Any action to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. Abatement acts on a global level over long time scales, slowing the rate of climate change and delaying or deferring the date of impact and its magnitude. While we may individually contribute only a small amount to global emissions, as good global citizen we must take responsibility for our own emissions and work to reduce them.
adaptation
Any action to respond to the anticipated or actual conditions related to climate change. Such strategies can reduce our vulnerability to a change in climate at the local and regional level and over short time scales. They allow communities to develop a capacity to avoid or minimize the negative effect of climate change.
C
carbon dioxide
A colourless odourless gas formed by the burning of carbon compounds or breathed out by animals in respiration. The burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) to create electricity and produce fuel for transport is increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
carbon neutral
Being carbon neutral means that you produce no net emissions of carbon such as carbon dioxide or methane either directly or indirectly.
carbon trading
The buying and selling of permits allowing people to emit set amounts of carbon in the atmosphere
chlorofluoro-carbons(CFCs)
These chemical compounds have no natural source: they are produced entirely by human activity. Even though CFC production has been vastly reduced (previously used in aerosol cans and refrigerators), they will remain in the atmosphere for a long time.
climate
The long-term average weather pattern of a region.
climate change
Changes to the climate systems such as the current global warming.
D
direct impact
Something that has a direct and instant impact on the earth e.g. bushfires, major volcanic activity.
E
energy
The power which lets people and machines move, or provides light and heat.
emissions
Sending gases out into the atmosphere.
emission target
Limitations to reduce the release of air-borne substances.
emission trading
Under an emissions trading scheme, limits (or caps) are set on the amount of a pollutant (greenhouse gas) that can be emitted. Companies or groups are given credits that represent the right to emit a specific amount. (Linked to carbon trading)
enhanced greenhouse effect
The increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activity leading to climate change.
F
fugitive emissions
Emissions resulting from transporting energy from generators to customers (e.g. through powerlines).
G
gases
A gas is one of the states of matter, consisting of particles well spaced and moving randomly and rapidly in all directions.
greenhouse gases
Gases that absorb heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. There are around 30 greenhouse gases, of which CO2, methane and water are currently considered to be the most important.
Greenhouse effect
The Greenhouse Effect refers to the change in temperature an atmosphere displays as certain gases trap heat. This extra heat changes the rate of movement of air and ocean currents, makes their masses expand and increases the rate of ice melting and evaporation.
global warming
The warming of Earth’s surface through an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
H
hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)
Gases that are used in aerosol cans, air conditioners, production of aluminium and magnesium and in semi conductor manufacture.
I
indirect impact
Something that has secondary impact on lifestyles, ecosystems, societies and cultures.
K
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a global agreement that aims to limit greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-caused) interference with the climate system. It was developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
M
methane (CH4)
A naturally occurring gas generated by (Greenhouse gas) bacteria that break down organic matter. The main sources of methane production are the digestive processes of livestock, the cultivation of rice, escaping natural gas and decomposing waste in garbage dumps or landfills, and volcanic and geothermal activity.
N
nitrous oxide N2O (Greenhouse gas)
A gas that forms when fossil fuels are burnt under certain conditions.
O
ozone (O3)
A colourless gaseous substance obtained (as by the silent discharge of electricity in oxygen). It is an allotropic form of oxygen, containing three atoms in the molecule instead of the more abundant form, O2.
P
pollution
Dirt or harmful substances in the air, water or soil.
S
smog
Is a mixture of smoke and fog produced by industry, motor vehicles, incinerators and open burning. Smog hangs around over densely populated cities.
stationary energy
Energy used to heat, cool and light our houses, offices and other buildings.
sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) and Per fluorocarbons (PFCs)
Gases created by processes such as aerosol use, air conditioners, production of aluminium and magnesium and used in semi conductor manufacture.
W
weather
The state of the air or atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness, or any other meteorological phenomena; meteorological condition of the atmosphere; as, warm weather; cold weather; wet weather; dry weather, etc
Source: ACT Department of Territory & Municipal Services, Educating for Sustainability through the ACT Curriculum – Climate Change for a Sustainable Future, Canberra, pp19-20
See http://www.sustainableschools.act.gov.au