Adaptation
Altering our behavior, systems, and in some cases ways of life to protect our families, our economies, and the environment in which we live from the impacts of climate change.
Climate
Description of weather patterns typical for a place over a long period of time, such as 30- year periods, but can studied over periods of time ranging from months to thousands of years. Climatic patterns are typically described using averages of precipitation, temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind, and other metrics of weather. Climate is not synonymous with weather. Climate is what you expect (e.g., cold winters) and 'weather' is what you get (e.g., a blizzard).
Climate Change
Any significant change in the metrics of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other words, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among others, that occur over several decades or longer.
Emissions
Substances released into the atmosphere. Emissions are measured as concentrations, typically as a percent of the atmosphere or a ratio like parts per million (PPM).
Global Warming
Rise in global temperatures as a result of increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global warming is one effect of climate change.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
A measure of the total energy that a gas absorbs over a particular period of time (usually 100 years), compared to carbon dioxide.
Greenhouse Effect
Trapping and build-up of heat in the atmosphere (troposphere) near the Earth’s surface. This process is natural and essential for life on earth. Some of the heat returning toward space from the Earth's surface is absorbed by water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and several other gases in the atmosphere and then re-radiated back toward the Earth’s surface. As the atmospheric concentrations of these greenhouse gases rise, the average temperature of the lower atmosphere will continue to increase.
Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
Mitigation
Efforts that people, communities and governments take to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gasses.
Resilience
The capacity to prepare for disruptions, to recover from shocks and stresses, and to adapt and grow from a disruptive experience.
Social vulnerability
Characteristics and situations of a person or group that influences their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist, or recover from the impact of a hazard. Social vulnerability is determined by various pre-existing social and economic characteristics.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs through the three main pillars: economic, environmental, and social. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.
Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
Framework for considering the social, environmental, and economic impacts and benefits of a project for organization. When all three aspects are considered in decision-making, the result is more likely to lead to a strong, equitable, and successful strategy. The TBL consists of three elements: people, the planet, and profit.
Weather
Short-term changes in atmospheric condition at any given time or place. It is measured in terms of wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, and precipitation. In most places, weather can change from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season.
