September 2000 Workshop:
A Northern Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change
Project Terminology
A considerable amount of terminology will be used in this workshop report. To assist readers when reviewing this report, below are definitions of some of the key terms.
Climate change -- Climate change is the change in climate over a time period that ranges from decades to centuries. The term refers to both natural and human-induced changes and includes changes in long-term temperature and precipitation patterns, and changes in return intervals and magnitude of extreme events.
Greenhouse effect -- A number of minor gases in the atmosphere, although relatively transparent to sunlight, absorb most of the infrared heat energy transmitted by the Earth towards space. This phenomenon has been called the "greenhouse effect" and the absorbing gases that cause it "greenhouse gases". Important greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and halocarbons.
Impacts -- Changes in regional climate patterns may have positive and negative effects on human and natural systems in northern Canada. These effects are termed "impacts".
Adaptation -- Undertaking efforts to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. Reducing vulnerability of natural and human systems to the adverse effects of climate change.
Gap analysis -- A systematic evaluation method for identifying the degree to which information exists for a given topic. In simple terms, a way to find out how complete our knowledge is regarding a certain topic to determine what information exists and what doesn't exist.
Matrices -- A tool used in carrying out a gap analysis, and is essentially a way of organizing information into table format.
Database -- Also referred to as an information system. A system for storing and retrieving information.
State of knowledge -- A summary of the amount and type of information available on a given subject.