Definitions

• What is acid rain?


  Rain that is acidic due to dissolved gases
• What causes acid rain?


  Dissolved gases like sulfur dioxide from fossil fuels
• What is a carbon footprint?


  Total greenhouse gases emitted over a product's life
• What does the term environmental implication refer to?


  The effect that an activity has on the environment
• What are fossil fuels?


  Natural fuels formed from remains of living organisms
• What is global climate change?


  A long term shift in global climate patterns
• What is global dimming?


  A gradual reduction in light reaching Earth's surface
• What causes global dimming?


  Carbon particulates can cause global dimming
• What is the greenhouse effect?


  Increase in Earth's temperature due to greenhouse gases
• What are greenhouse gases?


  Gases that trap infra-red radiation in the atmosphere
• Which gases are considered greenhouse gases?


  Water vapour, carbon dioxide, and methane
• Why are greenhouse gases important for life on Earth?


  They maintain temperatures high enough to support life
• What are particulates?


  Small particles causing global dimming and health issues
• How do carbon particulates affect the environment?


  They cause global dimming and health problems
• What process produced oxygen in the early atmosphere?


  Photosynthesis of plants and algae
• What was the effect of photosynthesis on carbon dioxide levels?


  It decreased the amount of carbon dioxide
• What are pollutants?


  Substances with undesired effects on the environment
• What is the impact of pollutants on the environment?


  They introduce undesired effects into the environment