world at risk definitions

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  • definitions
    • greenhouse gases
      • the gases which are said to retain heat within the earths atmosphere and contribute to global warming
    • natural hazard
      • is a natural event or process which affects people e.g loss of life, economic damage, disruption to peoples lives or environmental degradation
    • hazard vulnerability
      • is the capacity of a person or group to anticipate, cope with, and recover from the impact of a natural hazard
    • storm surges
      • occur when tides are highest
    • enhanced greenhouse effect
      • the increase in the natural greenhouse effect, said to be caused by human activities which increase the quantity of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
    • thermohaline circulation
      • the flow of warm and cold water that circulates around the worlds oceans
    • albedo
      • is the amount of solar radiation reflected by the earths surfaces. ice and snow reflect most, dark rock surfaces reflect the least.
    • tipping point
      • to a point beyond which the earth cannot recover from the effects of carbon emissions, even with drastic action
    • Carbon sequestration
      • is where natural processes , such as plant respiration, are used to offset carbon emissions. trees absorb CO2 and give out oxygen, thus removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere.
    • Delta
      • is the area of sediment deposited where a river enters the sea or a lake
    • the debt crisis
      • where many African countries have become so heavily indebted that repayments sometimes exceed their GNP
    • cash crops
      • crops that are sold for income rather than own food supply
    • desertification
      • the way in which climate change and over-grazing turn previous fertile land into desert
    • food security
      • is the extent to which a country can rely upon food supplies.

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