Manitoba Climate Change Task Force - International Institute for ...

Climate Model • A quantitative way of representing the interactions of the atmosphere,
oceans, land surface and ice. Models can range from relatively simple to very complex.
Climate Modeling • Computer-based simulations of the earth’s climate that uses past
and present patterns to predict the future.
Conference of the Parties (COP) • The COP is the supreme body of the United Nations
Convention on Climate Change. It currently meets once a year to review the convention’s
progress. The word “conference” is not used here in the sense of “meeting” but rather
“association” of states that have agreed to support the convention.
Deforestation • The removal or degradation of forest stands by cutting and burning to
provide building materials or fuel, or to create land for agricultural purposes, building
sites or roads.
Desertification • The progressive destruction or degradation of existing vegetative cover
to form desert. This process can occur due to overgrazing, deforestation, drought and
the burning of extensive areas. Once formed, deserts can only support a limited number
of plants and animals. Climatic effects associated with this phenomenon include
increased reflection of energy from the earth’s surface, reduced atmospheric humidity,
and greater atmospheric dust.
Emissions • The release of pollutants that can be transformed into greenhouse gases,
and/or the direct release of greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere over a specified area
and period of time.
Emissions Trading • Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol establishes a mechanism whereby
those countries with emissions commitments (industrialized countries) may trade their
emission allowances with other industrialized countries that are parties to the protocol.
For example, if a company in Canada reduces its greenhouse gas emissions to less than
what it was emitting in 1990, it will have an emissions credit. The company could then
sell its emission credit to an Australian firm that has not been able to reduce its emissions
to 1990 levels in the necessary timeframe. The aim of emissions trading is to improve
the overall flexibility and economic efficiency of making emissions reductions.
Fossil Fuel • A general term for combustible carbon deposits of biological origin,
including coal, oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands. These fuels emit carbon dioxide
into the atmosphere when burned, thus significantly contributing to the greenhouse
effect and climate change.
Fossil Fuel Combustion • Burning of coal, oil (including gasoline) or natural gas,
usually to generate energy. This burning releases carbon dioxide as well as by-products
that can include methane and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide, methane, and
many other unburned hydrocarbons slowly oxidize into carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Common sources of fossil fuel combustion include cars and electric utilities.
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