Climate change jargon buster
Often confused by some of the terms used to describe climate change or the climate crisis? Try our jargon buster for terms often used to talk about climate change, living greener, and what we can do about it.
Active travel
Making journeys by physically active means, like walking or cycling.
Biodiversity
The ‘diversity of all life on Earth’ including animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms. It includes the complex relationships between all of these and their habitats and surroundings. We are all interconnected and rely on biodiversity for our health, our food, and the air we breathe.
Carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by your actions.
CO2 equivalent
Carbon footprints are typically measured in tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2eq). It is often too difficult to calculate exact emissions due to the various types of greenhouse gases processes and activities produce. It’s not just just carbon dioxide, there is also methane, nitrous oxide, and others. Translating the warming effect of various greenhouse gases into one standard unit: tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2eq) helps give a standard measurement we can compare.
Greenwashing
Also known as “green sheen”; conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company’s products are more environmentally friendly.
Net zero
When carbon emissions and removals are balanced.
Until emissions and removals are balanced, global temperatures are predicted to rise. Currently almost all of the world’s CO2 removal occurs through natural processes. That’s primarily plants and trees taking in CO2 from the air, and the soil absorbing and storing it.
Upcycling
Creatively repair, reuse or give a new lease of life to items that would otherwise have been disposed of and either gone to landfill or been commercially recycled.
Greenhouse Gases
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are present in our atmosphere in tiny proportions, yet they have a hugely disproportionate influence on our climate.
CO1 and CH4 are major greenhouse gases that absorb heat, radiated from the earth’s surface, as energy. They act like a blanket; without their presence the earth would freeze over, but as their concentration increases it will overheat.
Global Warming
For millions of years the temperature of the earth has increased and decreased with the concentration of CO2. In the million years prior to the industrial revolution, the earth dipped in and out of ice ages as CO2 ranged from 180-280ppm (parts per million); producing a temperature rise and fall of about 3C. Of course, this is a simplified overview – many other factors have (lesser) influence as well.
Sea temperature
Every 1C increase in sea temperature increases storm energy by 7% and increases water vapour in our atmosphere. Higher wind speeds and higher rainfall are increasing storm damage and inland flooding. Higher sea levels from melting ice caps will flood coastal areas more frequently, displacing inhabitants.
The industrial revolution and human consumption
The industrial revolution introduced the burning of fossil fuel – coal, oil, natural gas and their by-products petrol (gasoline), diesel, kerosene, and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) – all producing CO2 in huge amounts.
In the last 60 years, human consumption of fossil fuels has increased CO2 in our atmosphere by 100ppm; 500 times faster than at any previous time in earth’s history, and much too fast for the earth to achieve balance. We are on course to reach a 200ppm increase, to over 500ppm, by 2050 – last seen in the Miocene era when the earth was 4-6C warmer. Read more here.
Do you speak carbon?
A real eye-opener, Carbon Literacy training dramatically opens up the discussion around why it’s so important and what it really means. Greener and Cleaner runs Carbon Literacy training for both individuals and businesses or charities. Contact us to find out more.
Small changes make a big difference
Humans cause two-thirds of carbon emissions. There is something everyone can do about climate change. It’s just about choosing what changes work for you, your household and your working life.
Visit The Hub for advice and examples of new habits, resources and workshops to learn new skills.
This website, The Hub and our Facebook group are judgement-free zones full of positive actions and solutions you can embed in your everyday life to make green living (and working) the norm.
What’s on at The Hub
Learn new skills to help fight climate change and reduce your carbon footprint.