On this page you will find some of the terms and definitions we’ve been using in our blog. We will continue to add to the list as we blog. 🌱 👨🏾🌾👩🏻🏫👨🏿🍳
Adaptation
Action that helps alleviate the effects of climate change.
for example: the conversion to crops that are more capable of surviving high temperatures or drought.
Anthropogenic Climate Change
changes in a region’s climate induced by human activities, as opposed to CLIMATE change caused by natural processes.
Atmosphere
the set of layers of gases surrounding a planet. the word Atmosphere is typically used in reference to that of the earth’s surrounding gases.
Backyard Burning
An (illegal) method of ridding a household of waste. it releases pollutants into the air, harming the air quality and thereby risking the health of those burning the waste and of their neighbours.
Ballast Water
this is the waste water discharged by ships.
example of how BALLAST WATER IS RELEASED:
The water gets into the ship when cargo is collected at point A. This water contains sediments , plants and animals including bacteria. The ship then travels to point b where off loading occurs, released this water into this new area.
Bioenergy
energy derived from burning biomass.
this energy can be used to fuel machines.
Biomass
A source of fuel made from either living or recently-dead plant (WOOD, corn, LEAVES etc) or animal materials (typically manure).
it also refers to the biodegradable part of industrial and municipal waste.
Bycatch
This is the capture of unwanted sea life while fishing for a different species, sex or size of organism.
for example: while fishing for tuna, sea turtles can become entangled in fishing nets and die as a result.
Climate
The average weather condition of a region.
for eg. a tropical climate tends to have an average temperature of about
22 degrees CELSIUS.
Climate Change
A series of weather changes over a long period of time that affects a region. This variation may be caused by both natural processes as well as human activity. Global warming is one aspect of climate change.
Climax State
this is a steady-state stage that would persist indefinitely and have maximum organic matter, maximum storage of chemical elements and maximum biological diversity.
This phrase is used when referring to ecological restoration.
How can oil harm marine life?
this is a statutory body, established by the Government of the republic of Trinidad and Tobago, that coordinates and oversees environmental management functions. these functions include, but are not limited to: approving noise permits, granting of CERTIFICATES of environmental CLEARANCE as well as water pollution permits based on effluent discharge.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
This is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters.
(the u.s.a’s version of the ema)
Fracking
Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as “fracking,” is an oil and gas well development process. it usually involves injecting water,chemicals and sand at very high pressures into a bedrock formation via the well. Unfortunately, this process can go wrong if the oil or gas wells are not built sturdily enough. they can leak causing contamination of groundwater while too “Flowback” water can contaminate streams and water supplies. For further information, click here
Greenhouse Effect
The insulating effect of certain gases in the atmosphere, which allow solar radiation to warm the earth and then prevent some of the heat from escaping.
Greenhouse Gases
Natural and industrial gases that trap heat around the Earth that causes the warming of the earth’s surface.
Grey Water
this refers to contaminated water from a home or commercial building. the water may have been used to wash hands, flush a toilet or wash clothes, all of which leave contaminants in the water, causing it to appear grey in colour.
Impacts of Climate Change on World Heritage Coral Reefs
this is the United Nations’ body for assessing the science related to climate change.
Joint Implementation (JI)
An agreement between two parties whereby one party struggling to meet its emission reductions under the Kyoto Protocol earns emission reduction units from another party’s emission removal project. The JI is a flexible and cost-efficient way of fulfilling Kyoto agreements while also encouraging foreign investment and technology transfer.
i.e. one country could have traded emission reduction units if they were in excess – to another country which may have surpassed their limit.
Kyoto Protocol
this was A LEGALLY BINDING COMMITMENT – ATTACHED TO THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (unfccc)- ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
In 1997, AT A United Nations CONFERENCE IN KYOTO, JAPAN, it WAS AGREED BY GOVERNMENTS AND STATES THAT INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES would REDUCE THEIR COMBINED EMISSIONS TO 5.2% BELOW 1990 LEVELS DURING THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD 2008-2012. this DID NOT LEGALLY COME INTO FORCE UNTIL 2005.
A different set of countries agreed to a second commitment of 18% below 1990 levels during the period 2013 – 2020.
The Convention itself asked countries to adopt policies and measures on mitigation and to report periodically.
THE KYOTO PROTOCOL RESTRICTed EMISSIONS OF SIX GREENHOUSE GASES:
NATURAL (CARBON DIOXIDE, NITROUS OXIDE, AND METHANE) AND
INDUSTRIAL (PERFLUOROCARBONS, HYDROFLUOROCARBONS, AND SULPHUR HEXAFLUORIDE).
Least Developed Countries represent the poorest and the weakest countries in the world. The current list of LDCs includes 46 countries.
Non-renewable Energy
this is energy derived from sources that become depleted when the energy is taken / used.
eg. energy harnessed from the extraction of crude oil DEPLETEs the amount of oil remaining under the earth’s surface.
Pteropods
Renewable Energy
this is energy derived from sources that do not become depleted when the energy is taken / used.
eg. energy harnessed from the sun (solar energy) does not DEPLETE the energy the sun provides.
Runoff
this refers to water, clean or polluted, that drains from the surface of an area of land, a building or structure.
eg. when rain falls and the excess water “runsoff” into rivers nearby.
Small Island Developing State (SIDS)
unesco declared a specific list of islands of the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans that are relatively remote, vulnerable to environmental challenges and are generally small in size.
there are currently 38 UN member states and 20 non-un member states considered as sids.
this is the removal of exposed rock and soil, typically from above a layer of coal, as well as the removal of the underlying, newly exposed mineral as well. Strip mining destroys landscapes and wildlife habitats when the trees, plants, and topsoil are cleared from the mining area. This leaves the soil open to the natural elements, leading to soil erosion and destruction of agricultural land because When rain falls, it washes away the loosened top soil into nearby streams, where the sediment pollutes the waterways.
Sustainable
able to maintain (sustain) something at a specific level or rate.
there are 17 sds which collectively is an urgent call for action by all countries; both developed and developing. These goals recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations go hand-in-hand with other strategies like REDUCing INEQUALITY and improving health and education.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
these refer to chemical compounds that have a high vapour pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are man made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacturing of cleaning products, paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants and THEY READILY PARTICIPATE IN PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS..
Eg. benzene