primary energy
Energy from sources before conversion or transformation, such as coal or solar radiation.
Energy derived from sunlight using technologies like photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems.
Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun, influencing Earth’s climate and weather patterns.
Intentional modification of solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface to mitigate climate change impacts.
The process by which carbon dioxide dissolves in ocean surface waters and is transported to deeper layers.
The range of possible solutions or strategies available to address a problem or challenge.
The origin or cause of emissions or pollutants released into the atmosphere.
A monsoon affecting South America, characterized by seasonal wind and precipitation patterns.
A convergence zone in the South Pacific Ocean influencing climate and weather patterns.
Monsoonal weather patterns affecting South and Southeast Asia, influencing regional climate and agriculture.
Variability in atmospheric circulation influencing weather and climate in the Southern Hemisphere.
The ocean surrounding Antarctica, playing a crucial role in global climate and ocean circulation.
The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere relative to air temperature and pressure.
A cold period during an interglacial period, affecting climate and ecosystems.
A defined standard or level used for comparison or evaluation in scientific studies.
An abnormal rise in sea level along coastlines due to weather events like storms or hurricanes.
Storm tracks are designated pathways in the atmosphere where storms develop and move, influenced by global wind patterns and atmospheric pressure systems, impacting regional weather and climate patterns.
Long-term paths or trajectories of development, change, or events in a narrative.
Assets losing value or becoming obsolete due to climate change impacts or policy changes.
The layering of water columns based on temperature and salinity, influencing marine ecosystems.
The layer of Earth’s atmosphere above the troposphere, containing the ozone layer and influencing climate.
The exchange of air and substances between the stratosphere and troposphere, affecting atmospheric composition.
Injecting aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth’s surface.
The protective layer of ozone in the stratosphere, absorbing most of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet
A persistent wind pattern in the stratosphere over the polar regions.
Instruments measuring atmospheric conditions in the stratosphere.
The flow of water in rivers and streams.
Factors or pressures causing stress or strain on systems or individuals.
The process of one tectonic plate moving under another.
Subnational entities such as states or provinces with political power or influence.
Rapid warming events in the stratosphere disrupting polar vortex patterns.
Meeting basic needs without exceeding environmental limits.
A potent greenhouse gas used in electrical transmission equipment.
Dark spots on the sun’s surface linked to solar activity and climate.
Measures targeting the production or supply of goods and services.
The balance between accumulation and loss of snow and ice on Earth’s surface.
Unexpected events or outcomes impacting climate or ecosystems.
The capacity to endure and thrive without compromising future generations.
Global objectives for sustainable development adopted by the United Nations.
Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations.
Pathways guiding development towards sustainability and resilience.
The responsible use and conservation of forests to meet current and future needs.
Practices aiming to increase agricultural productivity without degrading resources.
Practices ensuring sustainable use and conservation of land resources.
Associated with or occurring in sea ice habitats.
Systems promoting the development and adoption of new technologies and practices.
The process of introducing and using new technologies in various sectors.
The spread and adoption of technologies across different regions or sectors.
The transfer of technologies from one entity or region to another.
A large-scale atmospheric interaction linking distant regions.
Patterns in teleconnections affecting weather and climate.
A temporary increase in global temperatures above desired targets.
Radiation emitted by Earth’s surface into the atmosphere.
A boundary separating warm surface water from cold deep water in oceans.
Thawing of ice-rich permafrost leading to land subsidence and landscape changes.
Changes in sea level due to variations in water temperature.
An instrument measuring sea level changes relative to a fixed point on land.
A classification or level within a system or framework.
The time when a climate signal emerges from natural variability.
Climate elements with the potential to cause abrupt and irreversible shifts.
A critical threshold in a system triggering irreversible changes.
The balance of incoming and outgoing energy at the top of Earth’s atmosphere.
The measure of all dissolved bases in seawater.
The total amount of carbon stored or emitted within a specified system.
The total solar power received per unit area at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere.
The combined level of ocean, tidal, and storm surge water height.
A situation where one thing must be decreased to increase another.
Biomass obtained from traditional practices like wood or charcoal burning.
Fundamental and irreversible changes in social, economic, and ecological systems.
Pathways guiding societal transformations towards sustainability.
Fundamental changes in societal structures and norms towards sustainability and resilience.
The equilibrium global surface temperature increase after doubling CO2 concentration.
The temperature increase caused by cumulative CO2 emissions over time.
A shift from one state to another, like from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
The line on mountains marking the transition from tree growth to no trees.
Annual growth rings in tree trunks used to study past climates.
Uncertainty associated with estimates of trends over time.
Variability in Atlantic Ocean conditions affecting climate in tropical regions.
A rotating storm system with low-pressure centers and strong winds.
The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere.
The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, where weather occurs.
Ozone found in the troposphere, influencing air quality and climate.
Large ocean waves caused by seismic activity or underwater eruptions.
The average time a substance remains in a reservoir before being replaced.
Regions classified by similar characteristics, such as climate and vegetation.
Lack of certainty or predictability about the future state of the climate system.
An international treaty addressing climate change, adopted in 1992.
The absorption or assimilation of a substance by another.
Areas where cold, nutrient-rich water rises towards the ocean surface.
Systems of cities interconnected by economic and social activities.
Characteristics related to cities, including population density and infrastructure.
Agricultural practices within urban and surrounding areas.
The phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than rural areas.
The process of urban growth and expansion.
The process of urban growth and expansion.
Core principles and convictions shaping individual and collective behavior.
The exchange of air between indoors and outdoors.
Confirmation that actions or processes meet specified criteria or standards.
Vertical movement of land relative to sea level.
Halogenated substances with short atmospheric lifetimes.
Organic chemicals that can easily vaporize into the atmosphere.
The susceptibility of a system to harm from exposure to stresses or hazards.
An index assessing the susceptibility of a system to harm from hazards.
A system of atmospheric circulation influencing weather patterns.
The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
A body of water with uniform temperature and salinity.
The availability of reliable access to sufficient quantities of clean water.
The efficiency of water use in achieving desired outcomes.
The increase in sea level due to wind stress and pressure differences.
The breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical, physical, and biological processes.
The state of being healthy, happy, and prosperous.
Gases like carbon dioxide that remain in the atmosphere for a long time, causing warming.
A monsoon affecting West Africa, characterized by seasonal wind and precipitation patterns.
Areas of land saturated with water, like swamps and marshes.
Energy generated from wind using turbines.
A period of abrupt cooling during the Pleistocene Epoch.
The commitment to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions.
The displacement of people from their homes or communities.
The evaluation of potential impacts, positive or negative, of a project or policy.
The process of removing snow, ice, or rock from a glacier or other frozen body by melting, sublimation, or calving.
The degree to which proposed policies or changes in systems are considered favorable or acceptable by stakeholders and the general public.
The layer of ground that is subject to annual freeze-thaw cycles in permafrost regions, affecting soil structure and ecosystem processes.
The establishment of forests in areas where there were no previous tree cover, as a method of carbon sequestration and environmental restoration.
A large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.
The measurement of changes in surface height, often used in monitoring sea level and ice sheet dynamics.
The apparent sensitivity of a hydrological system to changes in climate or other environmental conditions.
A climate pattern characterized by shifting atmospheric pressure and temperature patterns in the Arctic, affecting global weather.
A climate zone characterized by very low precipitation and high evaporation rates, leading to desert-like conditions.
A geoengineering technique that involves bringing nutrient-rich deep ocean water to the surface to stimulate marine productivity and carbon sequestration.
A monsoon system affecting Australia and surrounding regions, characterized by seasonal changes in wind and precipitation patterns.
Changes in individual or collective behavior in response to environmental, social, or economic factors.
Carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrasses, contributing to climate mitigation.
A large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern that influences the distribution of ozone and other trace gases.
biennial update report
A metric that expresses the impact of greenhouse gases in terms of the equivalent amount of CO2 that would produce the same effect.
The process by which marine organisms, such as corals and mollusks, build calcium carbonate structures.
The balance of carbon dioxide emissions and removals (e.g., through sinks like forests) in a specified region or system.
The area of land that collects and channels rainfall or snowmelt into streams, rivers, and lakes.
The geological era spanning from 66 million years ago to the present, characterized by the dominance of mammals and birds.
Describes a system that is highly sensitive to initial conditions, making long-term predictions difficult.
Radioactive isotopes produced by cosmic rays interacting with the atmosphere or other substances, used for dating geological and archaeological materials.
Oxygen-depleted zones in oceans, caused by excessive nutrient pollution, leading to marine life depletion.
The degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas due to various factors including climate change.
Microscopic algae that play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems and carbon cycling.
Factors or phenomena that drive changes in environmental or climatic conditions.
A warm period during the early Eocene epoch, characterized by elevated global temperatures and reduced polar ice.
The seasonal wind pattern affecting East Asia, bringing heavy rainfall and influencing regional climate.
The potential economic benefits or opportunities associated with climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The equilibrium climate sensitivity considering the effects of feedback mechanisms over time.
Conditions and factors that facilitate or support the implementation of policies or technologies.
The moral principles and considerations guiding decisions and actions related to climate change.
A concept of well-being and flourishing that emphasizes human potential and fulfillment.
The process by which water changes from liquid to vapor, driven by solar radiation.
The quality of being just, equitable, or impartial in distribution or treatment.
The suitability of a product, service, or system to meet specific needs or purposes.
The part of the atmosphere above the planetary boundary layer where weather phenomena occur.
A measure of income distribution within a population, indicating inequality.
The suitability of an environment for human habitation, influenced by factors like climate, resources, and infrastructure.
Periods of long-term cooling or warming of Earth’s climate, marked by glaciations or interglacial periods.
Equilibrium in Earth’s crust where buoyancy forces stabilize vertical movements.
A geostatistical method for interpolating spatial data points based on nearby values.
The rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with altitude under specific atmospheric conditions.
Assessment of the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its lifecycle.
Particles absorbing sunlight in the atmosphere, contributing to warming.
A tropical climate oscillation affecting weather patterns and precipitation in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
A geoengineering concept aiming to increase cloud reflectivity to cool the planet.
Substituting one material for another to reduce environmental impact.
multilateral environmental agreement
A rapid rise in global sea levels around 14,000 years ago due to melting ice sheets.
The overturning circulation of water masses in the world’s oceans, affecting climate and ecosystems.
The climate conditions of a small-scale or localized area, differing from the surrounding region.
Permanently frozen soil near Earth’s surface, crucial for ecosystem stability in polar regions.
Land used for grazing livestock, influencing carbon storage and biodiversity.
The study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena in plants and animals.
Energy from sources before conversion or transformation, such as coal or solar radiation.
A method combining historical data with models to create consistent datasets for climate analysis.
Agricultural practices enhancing ecosystem health and soil fertility while sequestering carbon.
A type of glacier containing significant amounts of rock debris, affecting movement and dynamics.
Uncertainty associated with the representativeness of sampled data.
A plausible and internally consistent description of a potential future state or development.
The total area covered by sea ice within a given region.
A region receiving low annual precipitation, prone to drought and desertification.
The ability of ecosystems to provide resources and services to support human well-being.
Coastal seas extending from the shoreline to the continental shelf, rich in marine life.
The average height of the highest third of waves in a given time period.
Small island nations facing unique vulnerabilities to climate change impacts.
Electrical grids incorporating digital technology to optimize energy distribution and consumption.
The process of storing carbon in soils through improved land management practices.
The spatial and temporal dimensions over which phenomena or processes occur.
The unintended spread or transfer of effects from one area to another.
Changes in sea level due to thermal expansion, affecting coastal ecosystems and communities.
The balance between incoming and outgoing energy at Earth’s surface.
The rush of seawater up a beach after a wave breaks.
A layer of unfrozen ground surrounded by permafrost.
The maximum achievable level of technology adoption under ideal conditions.
Gases present in trace amounts in the atmosphere, influencing climate.
Cold, treeless plains in the Arctic and Antarctic.
An international treaty combating desertification, adopted in 1994.
Renewable energy sources that fluctuate based on natural factors like wind and sunlight.
Diseases transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks.
Diseases transmitted through contaminated water sources.
A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance.
social cost of carbon
The economic cost imposed by carbon emissions, accounting for damages caused by climate change.