9781422274583

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

abrupt sudden

barren having little or no vegetation; desolate and lifeless

biodiversity the diversity of plant and animal life in a habitat (or in the world as a whole)

bulkhead a partition that divides a ship or aircraft into compartments

dike a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea

diversity the variety of things

drastic extreme effect

ecosystem refers to a community of organisms, their interaction with each other, and their physical environment

famine a severe shortage of food (as through crop failure) resulting in violent hunger, starvation, and death

hibernation a state of deep sleep in which an animal’s heart rate and breathing slow down

kiloyear the unit of time equal to 1,000 years

potable suitable for drinking

precipitation the water that falls on the ground in the form of rain, snow, hail, sleet, or mist

protocol the original copy of any official document, for example, an agreement

CLIMATE CHANGE: Problems and Progress

6