| Term | Definition | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| Climate sensitivity | How much warmer the planet will get on average if the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere… |
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| Co-benefits | The additional benefits that accompany climate action. There are various positives from reducing… |
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| Conservation | The preservation and protection of animal and plant life and their habitats, particularly for… |
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| Coral bleaching | When coral turns white due to loss of the coloured algae that live in the coral. This occurs… |
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| Decarbonisation | The reduction and removal of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere from human activities… |
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| Defaunation | The loss of animal populations or species. Causes of defaunation include habitat destruction and… |
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| Deforestation | The clearance and destruction of natural trees and forests by humans so the land can be used for… |
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| Desertification | The degradation of fertile lands into desert, leaving soils less able or unable to support life… |
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| Droughts | A prolonged dry period, with little or no rain. |
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| Early Warning System (EWS) | A system to monitor, identify and predict climate-related hazards and communicate warnings to… |
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| Earth System Boundaries (ESBs) | Limits to operate within to maintain and enhance a stable and resilient Earth system. These… |
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| Earth-regulating systems | Earth-regulating systems are interconnected biophysical systems on which life on Earth depends… |
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| Ecological overshoot | When human demand on natural resources exceeds regeneration ability. |
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| Ecosystem services | The health and wellbeing benefits humans get from nature, including provisions (e.g. water, food… |
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| El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) | ENSO is a climate phenomenon involving periodic changes in sea surface temperature in the… |
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| Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) | A tool to assess the direct and indirect impacts of a plan, policy, project or product on the… |
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| Environmental management | Management of human activities which impact on the environment. |
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| Environmental toxins | Substances and organisms that negatively impact human health and/or environmental health. |
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| Eutrophication | A process where excess nutrients (typically nitrates and phosphates) build up in rivers, lakes,… |
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| Extreme weather | A severe weather event that is unexpected and unusual for a particular time and place. Extreme… |
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| Food security | When all people always have physical and economic access to enough safe and nutritious food to… |
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| Food waste | The wastage of food made for human consumption. This may encompass any loss/wastage throughout… |
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| Fossil fuels | Non-renewable sources of energy that when burned release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.… |
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| Genetic engineering | The manipulation of an organism’s genetic material by humans. Genetic engineering may be used to… |
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| Global dimming | The reduction in sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface due to particulate matter, a type of air… |
The glossary is provisional until improved & approved by the planetary health community – you can support review or suggest a new term