Climate Change Vocabulary

long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system

trapping of the sun's warmth in a planet's lower atmosphere

the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.

weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period (30+ years)

substance that has harmful or poisonous effects put into the environment

materials such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain

series of processes by which carbon compounds are cycled in the environment

the gradual increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities

the movement of air masses that causes changes in atmospheric conditions

the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere from vehicles and factories