Unit 8 Vocabulary:

Is Our Climate Changing?

Most definitions and
example sentences
are taken from
either the MerriumWebster Online
Learnerss Dictionary
or the NorthStar 3
Reading and Writing
Book (3rd Edition)

Climate
Noun: the usual
weather conditions in a
particular place or
region
Our climate is changing.

Atmosphere
Noun: mixture of gases
that surround the earth
The atmosphere is
getting warmer.

Obvious
Synonym: clear
Adjective: 1. easy to see or notice
Many people say climate change is obvious.

2. easy for the mind to understand or

recognize
The winner of the debate is not obvious.

Escape
Verb: to come out from
somewhere
Most of the suns heat
hits the earth and
escapes back into
space.

Fossil fuel
Noun: a fuel (such as
coal, oil, or natural gas)
that is formed in the
earth from dead plants
or animals
When fossil fuels are
burned, carbon dioxide
is released.

Coal
Noun: a black or
brownish-black hard
substance within the
earth that is used as a
fuel
Coal is a fossil fuel.

Carbon dioxide
Noun: colorless gas
breathed out by people
and animals
The increase of carbon
dioxide is related to
global warming.

Gas
Noun: 1. a substance
that is like air and has
no fixed shape
The greenhouse gases
are carbon dioxide,
methane, and nitrous
oxide.

2. gasoline
We need to stop for
some gas.

Emission
Noun: something sent
out or given off
There are international
limits for gas emissions.

Massive
Adjective: 1. very large
and heavy
The soccer ball in the
picture is massive.

2. large in amount or
degree
A massive effort is required
to slow climate change.
What will you do?

3. very severe
Climate change is a
massive problem.

Production
Noun: the process of
making or growing
something for sale or
use
Production of this
product has increased.

Harmful
Synonym: dangerous
Adjective: causing or
capable of causing
damage or harm

Pollution is harmful.

Link
Noun: a connection or
relationship between
things
The link between
greenhouse gases and
climate change is
strong.

Evidence
Synonym: proof
Noun: something which
shows that something
else exists or is true
Some scientists say
there is evidence that
the climate is changing.

Sign
Noun: 1. something
(such as an action or
event) which shows
that something else
exists, is true, or will
happen
The articles in the
textbook talk about the
signs of climate change.
Some people believe
that there are signs that
aliens exist.

Sign
2. a piece of paper,
wood, etc., with words
or pictures on it that
gives information
about something
3. a motion, action, or
movement that you
use to express a
thought, command, or
wish

Energetic
Adjective: having or
showing a lot of energy
The man in the picture
is energetic.
One sign of climate
change is more
energetic weather.

Public
Noun: the people of a
country, state
Overall, the American
public believes global
warming is happening.

Confusion
Noun: lack of
understanding
The different views of
climate change can
cause confusion.

Doubt
Verb: to be uncertain
about (something)
Do you doubt what the
scientist say about
climate change?

Noun: a feeling of being

uncertain or unsure
about something
I have doubts.

Government
Noun: the governing
body of a nation, state
or community
Some governments
support the Kyoto
Protocol and some
dont.

Purpose
Noun: the reason why
something is done or
used; the aim or
intention of something
The purpose of the IPCC
meeting in 1988 was to
talk about three critical
issues.

Reduce
Verb: to make
(something) smaller in
size, amount, number,
etc (needs an object)
It is important for the
rich countries of the
world to reduce their
gas emissions.

Agreement
Noun: 1. the act of
agreeing 2. an
arrangement or
contract
The Kyoto Protocol is an
agreement that set
international limits for
gas emissions.

Adapt
Synonym: adjust
Verb: to change your
behavior so that it is
easier to live in a
particular place or
situation

Can we adapt to climate

change?

Limited
Adjective: not high or
great in number,
amount
These sunglasses are a
limited edition.
Carbon dioxide
emissions need to be
limited.