Climate Science Basics
This gas is the largest contributor to human-caused climate change.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
Burning this fossil fuel for electricity is the world’s largest CO₂ source.
What is coal?
Melting ice sheets contribute to this global change affecting coastal cities.
What is sea level rise?
This type of energy comes from sun-powered panels.
What is solar energy?
Indigenous teachings often describe humans as these rather than owners of the land.
What are caretakers/stewards?
This effect traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere and keeps the planet warm enough for life.
What is the greenhouse effect?
This human activity removes major carbon-storing ecosystems.
What is deforestation?
Coral bleaching is mainly caused by the rise in this ocean condition.
What is ocean temperature?
Cars that produce zero tailpipe emissions are known as these.
What are electric vehicles (EVs)?
This concept encourages thinking about the impact of decisions on future descendants.
What is seven-generation principle?
The long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation in a region.
What is climate?
This sector, including cars, trucks, and planes, releases large amounts of greenhouse gases.
What is transportation?
These events, including heatwaves, storms, and droughts, are becoming more frequent.
What are extreme weather events?
Capturing CO₂ directly from the air is known as this technology.
What is carbon capture?
Sustainability means meeting present needs without harming these.
Who are future generations?
Over 90% of the excess heat from global warming is absorbed by this part of the Earth.
What are the oceans?
This gas from cattle and landfills is over 25 times stronger than CO₂ over 100 years.
What is methane (CH₄)?
Oceans absorb CO₂, becoming more acidic - a process known as this.
What is ocean acidification?
This ex-vice president was known to be an environmental activist humiliated on South Park.
Who was Al Gore?
These traditional controlled burns enhance biodiversity and reduce wildfire risks.
What are cultural/prescribed burns?
This measurement expresses how much land and resources a person uses compared to Earth’s ability to regenerate them.
What is ecological footprint?
Canada’s ecological footprint is among the world’s highest, measuring roughly 8 of these units per person.
what is global hectares (gha)?
This climate phenomenon causes global sea levels to rise due to water expanding as it warms.
What is the thermal expansion of water?
This international agreement aims to keep global warming well below 2°C.
What is the Paris Agreement?
Combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science results in stronger approaches to this global problem.
What is climate action?