What are some of the key concepts in the international climate change debate?

Global Warming: This is the increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Effect: This is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.

Climate Change: This refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time. While climate change is a natural phenomenon, scientific evidence shows that human activities are significantly influencing this change.

Carbon Footprint: This is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere each year by a person, family, building, organization, or company.

Renewable Energy: This is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.

Sustainability: This is the practice of using natural resources responsibly, so they can support both present and future generations.

Adaptation: This refers to the adjustments that societies or ecosystems make to limit the negative effects of climate change or to take advantage of opportunities provided by climate change.

Mitigation: This involves taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance the capacity of carbon sinks to absorb GHGs from the atmosphere.

International Cooperation: Climate change is a global issue and it requires solutions on a global level. Therefore, international cooperation is key in the climate change debate. This includes international agreements like the Paris Agreement.

Climate Justice: This concept refers to the ethical and political issues related to climate change, such as its unequal effects on different communities and countries, and debates over who should bear the burden of addressing it.