SciDev.Net

Thursday, 26 November 2009

Climate change in China

Definitions

C

Carbon Cycle

The group of Pacific and Caribbean nations that are calling for relatively fast action by developed nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The AOSIS reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2005.countries fear the effects of rising sea levels and increased storm activity predicted to accompany global warming. Their want to hold Annex I Parties to a 20 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2005.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The greenhouse gas whose concentration is being most affected directly by human activities. Carbon dioxide also serves as the reference to compare all other greenhouse gases (see carbon dioxide equivalents). The major source of carbon dioxide emissions is fossil fuel combustion. Carbon dioxide emissions are also a product of forest clearing, biomass burning, and non-energy production processes such as cement production. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have been increasing at a rate of about 0.5 per cent per year, and are now about 30 per cent above pre-industrial levels.

Carbon Sequestration

The uptake and storage of carbon. Trees and plants, for example, absorb carbon dioxide, release the oxygen and store the carbon. Fossil fuels were at one time biomass and continue to store the carbon until burned.

Carbon Sinks

Carbon reservoirs and conditions that take in and store more carbon (carbon sequestration) than they release. Carbon sinks can serve to partially offset greenhouse gas emissions. Forests and oceans are common carbon sinks.

Carbon source

A reservoir that gives up carbon to another reservoir within the carbon cycle. For example, if the net exchange is between the biosphere and the atmosphere is towards the ocean, then the atmosphere is the source.

Carbon Stock

Carbon stocks include carbon stored in vegetation (above and below ground), decomposing matter, soil, wood products and the carbon substituted by burning wood for energy instead of fossil fuels.

Chlorofluorocarbons (and related compounds)

A family of anthropogenic compounds that includes chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), bromofluorcarbons (halons), methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These compounds have been shown to deplete stratospheric ozone, and therefore are typically referred to as ozone depleting substances. The most ozone-depleting of these compounds are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol.

Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM)

Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol provides for the CDM, which would enable developed countries to invest in emissions reducing projects in developing countries in order to obtain credit to put towards meeting their assigned targets. The details of the CDM have yet to be negotiated, but in principle allows countries to use credits obtained from the year 2000 to meet their Kyoto targets, if they choose to do so.

Climate Change

(Also referred to as 'global climate change'). This term is sometimes used to refer to all forms of climatic inconsistency, But as the Earth's climate is never static, the term is more properly used to imply a significant change from one climatic condition to another. In some cases, ‘climate change' has been used synonymously with the term, 'global warming'. Scientists, however, tend to use the term in the wider sense to also include natural changes in climate.

Climate Feedback

An atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial, or other process that is activated by the direct climate change induced by changes in radiative forcing (q.v.). Climate feedbacks may increase (positive feedback) or diminish (negative feedback) the magnitude of the direct climate change.

Climate Model

A quantitative way of representing the interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. Models can range from relatively simple to quite comprehensive.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

The collection of nations that have ratified the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), that was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The COP currently has more than 150 countries represented, and about 50 additional observer states. Its primary role is to keep the implementation of the Convention under review and to take the decisions necessary for the effective implementation of the Convention.

Back