Related Terms

Carbon dioxide

The most common GHG. It is produced by the aerobic (in the presence of oxygen) decomposition of organic matter, respiration by plant and animal life, as well as through the combustion of materials and fuels. This gas is removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and ocean absorption.

Carbon sequestration

The capture and storage of carbon dioxide in the form of plant material or ocean absorption. As part of photosynthesis, plants remove carbon dioxide from the air, strip the carbon out and make leaves, branches, roots, etc. Plant residue (carbon) is returned to the soil and soil carbon is increased.

Carbon sink

A place where carbon accumulates and is stored. For example, plants are carbon sinks. As they accumulate carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis and store it in their tissues as carbohydrates and other organic compounds.

Carbon source

A place where carbon is produced or released. For example, plants release carbon in the form of carbon dioxide when their tissues are broken down during combustion.

Combustion

The more rapid process of oxidation that occurs when organic matter ignites and burns, producing light and heat. It is the same chemical reaction that occurs during decomposition and respiration.

Emission

A substance that is released or discharged, usually into the air.

Emission reduction

A decrease in emissions released into the atmosphere by a source.

Emission removal

A removal of GHGs from the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gas (GHG)

Certain gases in the earth’s atmosphere that absorb some of the outgoing long wave radiation or heat energy. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

Greenhouse gas emission

Greenhouse gases given off or emitted through a variety of activities such as burning fossil fuels, decomposing plants and animals and fertilizer application. Other powerful GHG include man-made gases such as hydrofluorocarbons.

Greenhouse gas sink

Any process, activity or mechanism that removes a GHG from the atmosphere either by destroying it through chemical processes or storing it in some other form.

Greenhouse gas source

Any process or activity that releases GHG into the atmosphere.

Methane

Methane is derived from the decay of plant material without the presence of oxygen. Primary sources include wetlands, rice paddies, animal digestive processes, fossil fuel extraction, as well as manure storage handling. Methane is 23 times more potent as a GHG than carbon dioxide.

Mitigate

To make or become milder, to alleviate, lessen, moderate or “take the edge off”.

Nitrous oxide

The primary nitrous oxide sources are soils and oceans. Human contributions may take place through soil cultivation, fertilizer and manure application and by burning organic material and fossil fuels. Nitrous oxide is 310 times more potent a GHG than carbon dioxide.

Sequestration

The process of increasing the carbon in a carbon pool other than the atmosphere.

Sink

Any process, activity or mechanism that removes a GHG from the atmosphere.

Source

Any process or activity that releases a GHG into the atmosphere.