Here at OYA Energy we understand that climate change can be an incredibly daunting concept when you are newly aware of it. So we thought we would lay out the meanings of some key terms to make your journey to Net Zero a little less confusing.
Carbon footprint
Carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere as a result of an individual’s, organisation’s, or nation’s actions. It’s usually measured in tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent).
Greenhouse gasses (GHG)
Any type of gas in the atmosphere that blocks heat from escaping. In relation to your carbon footprint and climate change, the main one is to mention carbon dioxide.
The greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is the process through which greenhouse gasses in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun. Although this is a natural phenomenon that keeps the planet habitable, our GHG emissions are causing the Earth to warm up at an unnatural rate.
Climate change
Climate change is a pattern of long-term change in the temperature and weather patterns either globally or regionally. Although these alterations occur naturally, man-made climate change is rapidly accelerating the pace of them.
Global warming
Global warming is the rapid increase in average surface temperatures on Earth caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It is just one element of climate change.
Fossil fuel
Fossil fuels are natural resources that produce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses when burnt. Coal, oil and natural gas are all examples.
Net Zero
Net Zero is the target of completely negating the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity. This will be achieved by drastically reducing carbon emissions and implementing methods of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
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