Play it cool: Glossary

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What is global warming?

Earth has been slowly getting warmer over the last 50 years - most likely because we're putting more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Scientists believe that the average temperature could rise between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees centigrade in the next 100 years. This effect is called global warming.

What are greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun and act like an invisible blanket around Earth which makes its surface warmer. If we put more greenhouse gases into the air (from things such as cars, factories, cutting down trees, electricity generation and farming) the blanket becomes thicker causing Earth to become warmer and the climate to change.

What is carbon dioxide?

The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (C0₂) is naturally released into the air from rotting or burning trees and plants.

But things we do are putting more C0₂ into the air. People burn ‘fossil fuels' like coal, oil and gas to power factories and make electricity to heat our homes. Because fossil fuels come from buried forests from long ago, the more fuel that is burnt, the more C0₂ is released.

What is methane?

The greenhouse gas methane (CH₄) is produced when organic waste (like food scraps and grass clippings) decay in rubbish dumps.

What's more, every day millions of cows and sheep in New Zealand are also burping CH₄ into the air as they digest their food.

What is a walking school bus?

Walking buses are not like those from the Flintstones with the walking floorboards! School students are picked up one-by-one from their houses and walk to school together, one parent at the front and another bringing up the rear. It's fun and good for your health! Email: karen.boyes@eeca.govt.nz to find out more.

What is an energy efficient light bulb?

Energy efficient (compact fluorescent) lights last eight times longer than ordinary (incandescent) bulbs. They also use only 25% of the electricity used by an ordinary bulb. Look for them in your supermarket or hardware store.

What is stand-by power?

If there's a red light or timer display showing on an appliance that's not being used, it's on ‘stand-by' and still sucking power from the electrical socket.

By turning off appliances such as your TV, VCR, stereo, microwave, washing machine, dryer or dishwasher off at the wall, you won't waste electricity on stand-by. You could also save around 5% on your power bill.

Understanding climate change