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Climate change
The challenge of climate change
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| atmosphere | a layer of the gases that envelops the Earth |
| troposphere | the lowest layer of the atmosphere, which in contact with the Earth’s surface |
| stratosphere | the layer of the Earth's atmosphere above the troposphere, containing the ozone layer |
| mesosphere | the layer of the Earth's atmosphere directly above the stratosphere, where the temperature is very low |
| thermosphere | the layer of the Earth's atmosphere directly above the mesosphere, where the solar radiation is very strong |
| exosphere | the outer limit of the Earth's atmosphere |
| ozone layer | a layer in the Earth's stratosphere which absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth from the Sun |
| weather | the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place |
| meteorology | the science that explains how the atmosphere works |
| climate | the typical state of the atmosphere over a long period of time (many years) |
| climatology | the study of the climate |
| acid rain | rainwater that combines with pollutant gases |
| smog | fog mixed with smoke and other substances |
| global warming | a gradual increase of the average temperature on the Earth's surface |
| greenhouse effect | a natural process that occurs when gases in Earth's atmosphere trap the Sun's heat and prevents it from escaping back into the space |
| fossil fuels | a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the Earth's crust from plant or animal remains, and can be burned for energy |
| temperature | the amount of heat in the air, measured with a thermometer |
| thermometer | the device used for measuring temperature |
| hot zone | a climate zone between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, where the sun rays reach the Earth at a right angle all year |
| temperate zones | climate zones between the Tropics and the Polar Circles, where temperatures are mild |
| cold zone | a climate zone within the Polar Circle, the sun rays reach this zone at a very oblique angle throughout the year |
| precipitation | water falling to the Earth’s surface from the atmosphere in the form of rain, snow or hail |
| humidity | the amount of water vapour in the air |
| droplet | a very small drop of a liquid |
| hail | pieces of ice that fall from clouds like rain |
| rain gauge | a device used for measuring the amount of precipitation |
| relief precipitation | a type of precipitation when a humid mass of air moves up the side of a mountain |
| convectional precipitation | a type of precipitation when strong sunshine cause high evaporation and the air to warm quickly |
| frontal precipitation | a type of precipitation when two masses of air with different temperaturas and humidity levels come into contact |
| atmospheric pressure | the weight of the air on the Earth’s surface, measured by a barometer |
| barometer | a device used for measuring atmospheric pressure |
| wind | a mass of moving air, caused by differences in atmospheric pressure |
| weather vane | an instrument used for showing the direction of the wind, typically placed on top of a building |
| anemometer | an instrument used for measuring the speed of the wind |
| steady wind | a type of wind that always blows in the same direction |
| seasonal wind | a type of wind that reverses its direction according to the season |
| sea breeze | a type of wind that changes daily |
| isobar map | a map showing atmospheric pressure at sea level |
| mild / temperate | pleasant weather, it is neither extremely hot nor extremely cold |
| climate migration | the phenomenon when people are forced to leave their home region due to drought, floods and other environmental changes |
| polar ice caps | sheets of ice found near the North and South Poles |
| biodiversity | the variety of plant and animal life in the world |
| drought | the phenomenon when a region experiences less rainfall than is usual for that climate, leading to a shortage of water |
| flood | the phenomenon when it rains heavily in a short period of time and the soil is not able to absorb all the water |
| heat wave | a long period of abnormally hot weather |
| crops | cultivated plants that are grown on a large scale, especially cereals, fruit, or vegetables |
| livestock | farm animals raised to provide labour and produce food |
| famine | an extreme shortage of food |
| mud | soft, sticky matter resulting from the mixing of earth and water |
| hurricane | a tropical storm with a violent wind |
| tornado | a funnel-shaped column of air spinning around at high speed |
| gust of wind | a short, strong, sudden rush of wind |
| climate summit | a conference where world leaders discuss the poblems related to climate and make commitments and agreements |
| front | the area of contact between two masses of air with different temperatures and humidity |
Created by:
livia.pasztor
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