CLIMATE CHANGE

GLOSSARY

Net zero or carbon neutral = almost all greenhouse gas emissions have ended and carbon capture mechanisms reduce overall emissions to zero.

Zero emissions or 0%= no greenhouse gases are emitted. Emissions are now at 0% of what they were at starting point.

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Carbon = often used as short for the carbon dioxide (CO2) which is emitted during fossil fuel use. Often used as short for the CO2 equivalent of all greenhouse gases (CO2e).

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Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) = all greenhouse gases. 

Greeenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and other atmospheric gases which are causing the climate to change. 

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Carbon capture mechanisms available now include natural solutions such as trees and high quality moorland. These will not fully compensate for continued emissions of greenhouse gases. New technologies will help capture carbon from some industrial processes.

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Carbon footprint = how much greenhouse gas is emitted by an individual or organisation. Several online footprint calculators are available. One of the most up to date is Pawprint.

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Offsetting = purchasing carbon capture to compensate for personal or business emissions of greenhouse gases which are above zero. Offsetting is usually done by planting trees in an accredited scheme.

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Ready For Anything volunteers are an invaluable part of the local multi-agency emergency response for major flooding events, which are unfortunately becoming more regular across North Yorkshire as a result of climate change, particularly due to wetter and milder winters.

Coalition members North Yorkshire County Council describe some potential impacts of climate change.