Glossary

Air Conditioning
A system that controls the temperature of the air.

Antarctica
A large continent of the Earth centred over the South Pole.

Arctic
The part of the world around the North Pole mostly made up of sea ice.

Atmosphere
The layer of gases that surrounds the Earth.

Atoms
The most basic units that make up any substance.

Carbon
A non-metal element found in all living things.

Cataracts
A disease where a growth forms over the eye, and has to be removed by an operation.

Chlorine
An element that is poisonous in large amounts, and usually found as a greenish yellow gas.

Chlorofluorocarbons
Also known as CFCs, this artificial chemical contains carbon, fluorine and chlorine.

Developing Countries
Poor countries that are trying to develop their resources by becoming industrialised.

Dobson Unit
A measurement of ozone amounts in the atmosphere.

Fluorine
A gaseous element that can be poisonous.

Kilometre
One thousand metres.

Latitude
A geographical measure of how far north or south a place is from the equator.

Molecule
Groups of atoms.

Montreal Protocol
A legally binding agreement between countries to stop emissions of chemicals that destroy the ozone layer.

Nanometre (nm)
One thousand millionths of a metre.

Oxygen
A gas that has no colour or smell. It is very abundant in the atmosphere and essential for life on Earth.

Ozone
Ozone consists of three atoms of oxygen bonded together. In the stratosphere, ozone absorbs radiation and protects life on Earth.

Ozone Layer
The region in the stratosphere containing the bulk of atmospheric ozone.

Photochemical Smog
The hazy conditions that occur when pollutants react with sunlight at ground level.

Photosynthesis
The process by which plants use carbon dioxide, light and water to grow.

Plankton
Tiny microscopic creatures living in the sea. Some are animals - zooplankton, whilst others are plants - phytoplankton.

Pollution
Harmful substances in the environment

Radiation
Another word for energy, e.g. energy from the Sun.

Species
A particular group of plant or animal that can only reproduce with others of the same kind.

SPF
This stands for Sun Protection Factor, and indicates the amount of protection from the Sun that a sun cream offers.

Stratosphere
The upper layers of the gases surrounding the Earth.

Troposphere
The lower layers of the gases surrounding the Earth.

Ultraviolet Radiation
A type of radiation produced by the Sun that is harmful to plants and animals.

Wavelength
A method of measuring types and strengths of energy.