Climate change - key definitions
As Council improves understanding of climate change and effects on our operations, we will extend awareness, advice and support to the Redlands community over the next two decades. A few key definitions are given below.
Adaptation
Taking actions to avoid, benefit from, or deal with current and future climate change. Adaptation can take place in advance (by planning before an impact occurs) or in response to changes that are already occurring.
Climate
The average weather conditions in a particular location or region at a particular time of the year. Climate is usually measured over a period of 30 years or more.
Climate Change
A significant change in the Earth’s climate (temperature and weather patterns) producing short and long-term effects on the Earth’s atmosphere, generally attributed directly or indirectly to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and vegetation clearing and burning. The Earth is currently getting warmer because people are adding heat-trapping greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The term 'global warming' refers to warmer temperatures, while 'climate change' refers to the broader set of changes that go along with warmer temperatures, including changes in weather patterns, the oceans, ice and snow, and ecosystems around the world.
Emissions
The release of a gas (such as carbon dioxide) or other substances into the air.
Energy Transition
Moving to low or no-carbon fuels, green energy technologies and behaviours and lifestyle choices that reduce consumption of resources and energy.
Greenhouse gases
Also sometimes known as 'heat trapping gases', greenhouse gases are natural or man-made gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases.
Mitigation
An action to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.
Peak Oil
Peak oil is the point in time when the maximum rate of global crude oil extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline.
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