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On Oct. 31, 2021, a major U.N. conference on climate change will be underway. You'll hear a lot about mitigation, carbon neutrality, and sustainable development. It can be overwhelming to absorb all the terminology.
It can sound like you're talking over people, as one of my colleagues said about the terminology during a recent study we conducted through the USC Dornsife Public Exchange.
Climate reports are often written on a scientific basis. We thought it would be useful to clarify some of these terms.
We interviewed 20 people to find out common terms used in climate science and journalism. Then, we used their feedback to translate these terms into everyday language. We selected eight terms from reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change with the support of the United Nations Foundation.
This guide will help you keep up with the latest news on climate change. Each term is explained starting with its technical definition from IPCC. This text explains it in plain English.
1. Mitigation
Definition of IPCC: Mitigation (of Climate Change): Human intervention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase their sinks.
Translation: Stop climate change from getting worse.
People often talk about mitigation when they focus on fossil fuels, oil, and natural gasused for electricity generation and running cars, buses, and planes. Fossil fuels produce greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. These gases linger in the atmosphere after they are released. These gases trap heat, which then warms the planet.
There are many ways to reduce climate change. These include making buildings, appliances, and vehicles more efficient to use less electricity and fuel. Also, designing cities that require less driving. Planting trees and protecting forests can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep them away.
2. Adaptation
Definition by IPCC: Human systems are those that adjust to the current or expected climate and its consequences in order to mitigate harm or take advantage of opportunities. Natural systems are those that adjust to the actual climate and its consequences. Human intervention can facilitate adjustments to the expected climate and its impacts.
Translation: Living with climate change impacts.
Already, climate change is happening. The threat of heat waves, wildfires, and flooding is increasing. These threats will force people to adapt to their environment. Los Angeles is one example of a city that has begun to plant trees to keep people cool. Sea walls may be needed to protect coastal cities like Miami from flooding. As climate change worsens, more adaptation measures will be required.
3. Carbon dioxide removal
IPCC definition: The IPCC defines carbon dioxide removal methods as processes that remove CO2 from the atmosphere. These processes can be either increased biological sinks or chemical processes to bind CO 2. CDR is a type of mitigation that is considered special.
Translation: Take carbon dioxide from the air.
Since many years, carbon dioxide has been in increasing supply. It was half as much in 2019 than it was in the late 1800s. Carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere by planting trees or restoring grasslands. Carbon dioxide removal technologies can also be stored underground or in concrete. These are still new and are not widely used.
4. Carbon neutral
Definition by IPCC: Carbon neutrality can be achieved when global anthropogenic CO2 emissions are offset by anthropogenic carbon dioxide reductions over a period of time. Also known as net-zero carbon dioxide emissions, carbon neutrality can also be referred to.
Translation: No net carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere. This does not necessarily mean you cannot add carbon dioxide to the air. This means that you can add carbon dioxide to the air and take out the same amount.
According to the IPCC, carbon neutrality is essential for the world to avoid serious climate change. This involves using both mitigation to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and carbon dioxide removal to remove carbon dioxide from the air.
5. Tipping point
Definition by IPCC: An increase in the system's properties that causes a system to reorganize, sometimes abruptly, but not back to its initial state, even though the driving forces of the change have been reduced. It refers to the critical threshold at which global or regional climate change from one stable state into another.
Translation: It is too late for climate change to be stopped.
The collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is one of the most discussed tipping points. Research suggests that it may already be happening. The West Antarctica alone has enough ice to raise sea level by approximately 11 feet (3.33 meters) worldwide. Sea levels will rise by about 230 feet (70m) if all ice caps and glaciers melt.
The tipping point for the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may be reached.
6. Unprecedented transition
Definition of transition by IPCC: A process of moving from one state to another within a specified time period. Transition can occur in individuals, businesses, cities, regions, and nations. It can be based either on incremental or transformational change.
Translation: We must all work together to prevent climate change in a way we have never seen before.
Countries around the globe agreed in 2015 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F). Coal-fired power stations are the main cause of global warming. It would be a remarkable transition to switch the world to renewable energy like wind and solar power. Climate change without major changes could render the world unlivable.
7. Sustainable development
Definition of IPCC: Development that meets current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It also balances economic, social and environmental concerns.
Translation: Live in a way that is beneficial for all people, today and in the future.
The United Nations has set sustainable development goals. Unsustainable development is a form of climate change that produces more carbon dioxide than the planet can handle.
8. Changes in an instant
Definition by IPCC: Abrupt Climate Change refers to large-scale changes in the climate system that occur over a few years or less. They also persist (or are anticipated to persist for at least a few decade) and cause significant disruptions in natural and human systems.
Translated: A climate change that occurs much faster than normal.
Climate change is causing rapid changes in the world. Wildfires are raging across parts of the Western U.S. where it was once too dry to burn. As the ocean heats up, coral reefs are deteriorating. Climate change would have prevented these changes from happening so rapidly or at all.
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