Carbon EQ2 Key terms

• Carbon-neutral


  A process or activity that results in no net release of carbon into the atmosphere, perhaps through using renewable energy or planting trees.
• Energy mix


  The range of energy sources used by a country or region, from non-renewable ones such as fossil fuels to renewables such as wind energy. Depends on availability of resources, costs or production, development, climate and environmental priorities.
• Biofuel


  A fuel derived immediately from living matter, such as agricultural crops, forestry or fishery products, and various forms of waste (municipal, food shops, catering, etc.). A distinction is made between primary and secondary biofuels:
• Primary energy


  The main original source of energy before conversion in alternative forms, such as coal and crude oil.
• Enhanced greenhouse effect


  The intensification of the natural greenhouse effect by human activities, primarily through fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, causing global warming.
• Secondary energy


  A convenient and more usable energy source, such as electricity, that has been created from a primary energy source.
• Fracking

  Extracting shale oil and gas by drilling into rock and forcing liquid down at high pressure to crack rocks apart. Made viable by increasing gas prices and improved technology.
• Energy security


  A situation where there is a secure and affordable supply of energy to meet the needs of consumers (people and businesses).
• Biomass


  Organic matter used as a fuel, especially in power stations for the generation of electricity.
• Geological processes


  The capture and transferring of carbon through non-living things such as weathering, outgassing and sediment settling.
• Renewable Energy

  Continuous resources which will not run out such as solar, wind, wood and wave/tidal energy.
• Tar Sands

  Extracting oil from bitumen sands, uses a lot of energy to create oil and can cause massive environmental issues.
• Fluxes


  Movements of carbon; the rate of flow between stores.
• Permafrost


  Permanently frozen ground, often in the Arctic Circle. Frozen land contains a lot of carbon and methane, as it melts this is released into the atmosphere leading to positive feedback.
• Combustion


  The process of burning matter which releases trapped carbon into the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels transfers carbon from geological stores in to atmosphere.
• Sediment settling


  Where plants and dead animals fall to the ocean floor to be compressed which stores carbon within the rocks.
• Energy pathway


  The route by which an energy type is transferred from the production area to the consumption area, such as by pipeline or shipping route.
• Peatlands


  Often found in cooler, wet areas. Areas of very thick, carbon rich soil where plants decompose with little oxygen. Under great threat due to erosion and climate change - leading to a positive feedback.
• Carbon capture technology


  Capturing CO2 directly from the air or removing carbon from exhausts and chimneys. Carbon can be either buried and manufactured into other resources.
• Sequestration


  Processes by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and stored for a long period of time, for example by plants and soil in nature, or through carbon capture and storage (CCS) from power stations.
• Deforestation

  Clearing forest for farming or other resources. This is a key factor in influencing the increase of atmospheric carbon.
• Feedback mechanisms


  Can be positive where one change leads to another which increases the impact - ice melts, land is darker, absorbs more heat, more ice melts OR negative which reaches back to an equilibrium
• Provisioning services


  The goods that can be obtained from ecosystems - food, medicine, building supplies, fuel
• Net primary productivity NPP


  The amount of organic matter that is produced by vegetation - this varies around the world due to climate and is vital in regulating atmospheric carbon. Link to photosynthesis.