The area of Earth that supports life. It consists of two parts: the atmosphere, the thin layers of gases and water vapour that surround the Earth; and the lithosphere, or Earth's crust, the layer on which we live.

Book published in 1962 by American Rachel Carson. It warned of the environmental dangers caused by industrial pollution levels.

This group introduced the idea of sustainability and asked for the people of the developed world to reduce resource consumption and develop a sustainable lifestyle.

A statement adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro in 1992 stressing the need for the world to develop a sustainable world economy.

The portion of the world's water supply that is underground in natural reservoirs of aquifers.

Areas that may be deep beneath the surface of the Earth where groundwater is stored. Aquifers may be used to supply water for human needs. The water, however, is being used more quickly than aquifers can refill themselves.

A bone disease exclusively caused by excessive consumption of fluoride. It is most severe and widespread in the two largest countries - India and China.

A vast yet shallow underground water table located beneath the Great Plains in the United States.

Part of the outer atmosphere that protects the Earth from the harmful affects of solar radiation.

The name means "beyond violet", violet being the color of the shortest wavelengths of visible light. Produced by the sun and can cause sun burn and skin cancer.

They range from materials like methane, to liquid petroleum to nonvolatile materials composed of almost pure carbon, like anthracite coal. It is generally accepted that they formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals.

An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6% of the 1990 level by the year 2012.

The expansion of desert areas of the world mainly because of over use of nearby land areas. This is particular problem in the Sahel region of Africa.

Refers to the importance of keeping the native variety of plants and animals in an area since they rely on each other for existence. Removing one type of plant or animal may affect the sustainablilty of others in the area.

Coniferous forests that covered much of Canada, Europe, and Russia. Large areas of these forests are threatened by logging or pollution such as acid rain.

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SS 11

Chapter 17 Environment

Glossary Term	Definition
biosphere	The area of Earth that supports life. It consists of two parts: the atmosphere, the thin layers of gases and water vapour that surround the Earth; and the lithosphere, or Earth's crust, the layer on which we live.
Silent Spring	Book published in 1962 by American Rachel Carson. It warned of the environmental dangers caused by industrial pollution levels.
Bruntland Commission	This group introduced the idea of sustainability and asked for the people of the developed world to reduce resource consumption and develop a sustainable lifestyle.
Agenda 21	A statement adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro in 1992 stressing the need for the world to develop a sustainable world economy.
Groundwater	The portion of the world's water supply that is underground in natural reservoirs of aquifers.
aquifers	Areas that may be deep beneath the surface of the Earth where groundwater is stored. Aquifers may be used to supply water for human needs. The water, however, is being used more quickly than aquifers can refill themselves.
fluorosis	A bone disease exclusively caused by excessive consumption of fluoride. It is most severe and widespread in the two largest countries - India and China.
Ogallala Aquifer	A vast yet shallow underground water table located beneath the Great Plains in the United States.
ozone layer	Part of the outer atmosphere that protects the Earth from the harmful affects of solar radiation.
UV radiation	The name means "beyond violet", violet being the color of the shortest wavelengths of visible light. Produced by the sun and can cause sun burn and skin cancer.
fossil fuels	They range from materials like methane, to liquid petroleum to nonvolatile materials composed of almost pure carbon, like anthracite coal. It is generally accepted that they formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals.
Kyoto Protocol	An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6% of the 1990 level by the year 2012.
desertification	The expansion of desert areas of the world mainly because of over use of nearby land areas. This is particular problem in the Sahel region of Africa.
biodiversity	Refers to the importance of keeping the native variety of plants and animals in an area since they rely on each other for existence. Removing one type of plant or animal may affect the sustainablilty of others in the area.
boreal forests	Coniferous forests that covered much of Canada, Europe, and Russia. Large areas of these forests are threatened by logging or pollution such as acid rain.

Created by: alfromcanada

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