climate emergencies
Planetary environmental crises
Climate emergencies is the plural of climate emergency, a term for the urgent threat posed by global warming and its effects.
Declaring a climate emergency signals that immediate action is needed to address rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation.
The phrase gained prominence in the late 2010s as governments and institutions began adopting it to frame climate change as a crisis requiring extraordinary response.
Increasing ocean surface height
- extreme weatherUnusual, dangerous atmospheric events
- heatwavesExtended periods of excessive warmth
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- floodingOverwhelming water accumulation
coral bleaching · ocean acidification · wildfires · species extinction · habitat loss · crop failure · food insecurity · water scarcity
Emissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
emissions · industrial pollution · carbon footprint · feedback loops · permafrost thaw · overconsumption · burning coal
Self-replenishing natural power
- solar powerEnergy derived from sunlight
- wind energyElectricity from airflow
- decarbonizationEliminating fossil fuel emissions
- carbon captureCollecting and storing emissions
net zero · green technology · reforestation · sustainable agriculture · electrification · energy efficiency · carbon tax · Paris Agreement
Decisive dangerous moment
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- tipping pointThreshold triggering major change
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
dire · escalation · impending · irreversible · time-sensitive · code red · existential threat · point of no return
Direct effort for reform
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- civil disobediencePeaceful refusal to obey
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
petition · rally · grassroots · lobbying · divestment · blockade · youth movement · sit-in
sea level rise
Increasing ocean surface height
- extreme weatherUnusual, dangerous atmospheric events
- heatwavesExtended periods of excessive warmth
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
flooding · coral bleaching · ocean acidification · wildfires · species extinction · habitat loss · crop failure · food insecurity · water scarcity · polar ice loss
greenhouse gases
Emissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
deforestation · emissions · industrial pollution · carbon footprint · feedback loops · permafrost thaw · overconsumption · burning coal
renewable energy
Self-replenishing natural power
- solar powerEnergy derived from sunlight
- wind energyElectricity from airflow
- decarbonizationEliminating fossil fuel emissions
carbon capture · net zero · green technology · reforestation · sustainable agriculture · electrification · energy efficiency · carbon tax · Paris Agreement · mitigation
crisis
Decisive dangerous moment
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- tipping pointThreshold triggering major change
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
critical · dire · escalation · impending · irreversible · time-sensitive · code red · existential threat · point of no return · countdown
activism
Direct effort for reform
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- civil disobediencePeaceful refusal to obey
demonstration · petition · rally · grassroots · lobbying · divestment · blockade · youth movement · sit-in · direct action
climate, climates, climatic, climatically, climatological, climatology, climatologist, acclimate, acclimated