Vocabulaire lié au changement climatique | Anglais Seconde

• Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns
• Global Warming: Increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to greenhouse gases
• Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O)
• Carbon Footprint: Total amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activities
• Sustainability: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations

"Scientists are studying the impact of climate change on polar ice caps."

"Reducing your carbon footprint can help combat global warming."

"Many companies are adopting sustainable practices to protect the environment."

• Burning Fossil Fuels: Coal, oil, and gas release CO₂ into the atmosphere
• Deforestation: Cutting down forests reduces CO₂ absorption capacity
• Industrial Processes: Manufacturing releases various greenhouse gases
• Agriculture: Livestock farming produces methane (CH₄)
• Transportation: Vehicles emit significant amounts of CO₂

• Solar radiation variations
• Volcanic eruptions
• Natural greenhouse gas emissions
• Changes in Earth's orbit

• Rising sea levels due to melting ice sheets
• Extreme weather events (hurricanes, droughts, floods)
• Shifting precipitation patterns
• Warming oceans and coral bleaching
• Melting glaciers and Arctic ice

• Habitat destruction
• Species migration patterns changing
• Extinction risks for vulnerable species
• Disrupted food chains
• Altered ecosystems

• Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric)
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Reforestation and afforestation
• Carbon capture and storage technologies
• Sustainable transportation systems

• Building resilient infrastructure
• Developing drought-resistant crops
• Coastal protection measures
• Early warning systems for extreme weather
• Water conservation techniques

• Solar Power: Energy from the sun converted to electricity
• Wind Power: Kinetic energy from moving air converted to electricity
• Hydroelectric Power: Energy from flowing water
• Geothermal Energy: Heat from Earth's interior
• Biomass Energy: Organic materials used for energy

• Fossil fuels (non-renewable)
• Energy efficiency
• Carbon neutral
• Green technology
• Sustainable development

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon atoms continually travel from the atmosphere to the Earth and back. It includes:

• Photosynthesis: Plants absorb CO₂ from the air
• Respiration: Organisms release CO₂ back to the atmosphere
• Decomposition: Dead organisms decompose, releasing carbon
• Ocean absorption: Oceans store vast amounts of CO₂

Human activities have disrupted the natural carbon cycle by:

• Burning fossil fuels, releasing stored carbon
• Deforestation, reducing carbon absorption
• Industrial processes, adding excess CO₂

The greenhouse effect is a natural process where:

• Sunlight enters Earth's atmosphere
• Earth's surface absorbs some sunlight and warms up
• Earth radiates heat back toward space
• Greenhouse gases trap some of this heat, warming the planet

This process keeps Earth at a habitable temperature.

Human activities have increased greenhouse gas concentrations, enhancing the effect:

• More CO₂ from burning fossil fuels
• Increased methane from agriculture
• Additional nitrous oxide from industrial processes

This enhanced effect causes global warming.

• Paris Agreement: Global climate accord to limit warming
• Kyoto Protocol: First international treaty on greenhouse gases
• UN Framework Convention: Foundation for climate action

• Carbon tax
• Emissions trading
• Cap and trade
• Environmental regulations
• Sustainable development goals

1. _____

2. _____

3. _____

4. _____

5. _____

1. Global warming → E: Increase in Earth's average surface temperature

2. Carbon footprint → B: The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activities

3. Greenhouse gases → C: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

4. Renewable energy → A: Energy that comes from natural sources that won't run out

5. Sustainability → D: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations

• Global warming specifically refers to rising temperatures
• Carbon footprint measures personal/environmental impact
• Greenhouse gases include CO₂, CH₄, N₂O
• Renewable energy sources regenerate naturally
• Sustainability focuses on long-term environmental health

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate terms from the list: [climate change, greenhouse effect, renewable energy, carbon footprint, sustainability]

1. The ________ is the process by which certain gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.
2. ________ refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
3. Solar and wind power are examples of ________.
4. ________ means meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
5. Your ________ measures the total amount of greenhouse gases you produce.

1. _______________

2. _______________

3. _______________

4. _______________

5. _______________

1. The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.

2. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.

3. Solar and wind power are examples of renewable energy.

4. Sustainability means meeting present needs without compromising future generations.

5. Your carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases you produce.

• Context clues help determine the correct word choice
• Scientific processes have specific terminology
• Environmental concepts often relate to each other
• Personal responsibility connects to broader environmental issues

• Global temperatures have risen approximately 1.1°C since pre-industrial times
• CO₂ concentrations have increased by over 40% since the 1700s
• Sea levels have risen about 20 cm since 1900
• Arctic sea ice is declining at 13% per decade
• Oceans have absorbed about 30% of human-produced CO₂

• Paris Agreement (2015): Limit warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels
• Kyoto Protocol (1997): First international treaty to set emission reduction targets
• UN Sustainable Development Goals: Include climate action among 17 goals

• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Net-zero emissions commitments
• Renewable energy targets
• Forest conservation programs

• Reduce energy consumption at home
• Use public transportation or walk/bike
• Choose renewable energy providers
• Reduce meat consumption
• Practice the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Share climate knowledge with others
• Support environmental organizations
• Vote for climate-conscious leaders
• Participate in environmental initiatives

• Climate change vs. weather patterns
• Greenhouse gases and their effects
• Carbon footprint measurement
• Renewable vs. non-renewable energy
• Sustainability principles

• Human activities as primary drivers
• Environmental impacts and consequences
• Global cooperation efforts

• Mitigation strategies
• Adaptation measures
• Individual actions