Term | Definition |
global warming | an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect |
greenhouse gases | any of the gases whose absorption of solar radiation is responsible for the greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and the fluorocarbons |
greenhouse effect | an atmospheric heating phenomenon, caused by short-wave solar radiation being readily transmitted inward through the earth's atmosphere but longer-wavelength heat radiation less readily transmitted outward |
acid rain | precipitation, as rain, snow, or sleet, containing relatively high concentrations of acid-forming chemicals, as the pollutants from coal smoke, chemical manufacturing, and smelting, that have been released into the atmosphere and combined with water vapor |
pollution | the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment |
adapt | to make suitable to requirements or conditions; adjust or modify fittingly |
depend | to rely; place trust |
modify | to change somewhat the form or qualities of; alter partially; amend |
natural disaster | any event or force of nature that has catastrophic consequences, such as avalanche, earthquake, flood, forest fire, hurricane, lightning, tornado, tsunami, and volcanic eruption |
deforestation | to divest or clear of forests or trees |