SciDev.Net
Science and Development Network
News, views and information about science, technology and the developing world
Definitions
Below is a directory of terms used in the debate about climate change and insect-borne disease. Most of the terms have been reproduced from the WHO, US Environment Protection Agency, the UN University Institute of Advanced Studies, the Center for International Forestry Research, and the Meridian Institute.
C
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
The greenhouse gas whose concentration is being most affected directly by human activities. Carbon dioxide also serves as the reference to compare all other greenhouse gases (see carbon dioxide equivalents). The major source of carbon dioxide emissions is fossil fuel combustion. Carbon dioxide emissions are also a product of forest clearing, biomass burning, and non-energy production processes such as cement production. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have been increasing at a rate of about 0.5 per cent per year, and are now about 30 per cent above pre-industrial levels.
Climate Change
(Also referred to as 'global climate change'). This term is sometimes used to refer to all forms of climatic inconsistency, But as the Earth's climate is never static, the term is more properly used to imply a significant change from one climatic condition to another. In some cases, ‘climate change' has been used synonymously with the term, 'global warming'. Scientists, however, tend to use the term in the wider sense to also include natural changes in climate.
Information Services
Missed the Global Health Forum 2009?
Our blog, by SciDev.Net columnist Priya Shetty, will fill you in, as will our interview with the Global Forum's Gill Samuels
A climate for disease?
Will climate change worsen the burden of insect-borne disease? The scientific jury is still out
