The definitions below were developed by Jamie Stroble, TNC Washington Director of Climate Adaptation and Resilience and Keith Chaffee-Ellis, TNC Washington Marketing Manager with input from local colleagues.
About the Definitions
This list is neither comprehensive nor fixed. It is a living document that best reflects how climate change is broadly discussed across the US. It is built upon a foundation of knowledge, wisdom, and lived experiences of countless advocates and communities before us.
We are thrilled to share stories from our climate work that highlight progress and learnings from 2023. This year, we informed policy that promotes equitable climate actions and outcomes, protected keystone species and their crucial habitats and partnered with frontline communities as they expose the ways climate change impacts them first and worst.
We invite you to look back on a year of challenge and growth by exploring these Climate Chronicles through learning a common lexicon crucial to TNC Washington’s work. Beneath each key term, you will find a definition as well as links to stories of our work. Finally, download a printable crossword puzzle to challenge your knowledge!
Climate Definitions
Climate Change
Climate change refers to long-term shifts and alterations in Earth's climate patterns, encompassing variations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and more. This is a direct result of excessive greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), and the exploitation of natural resources for capitalistic gain. The consequences of climate change are far-reaching—rising sea levels, more frequent and intense extreme weather events, shifts in ecosystems and biodiversity, disruptions in agricultural productivity and jeopardized human health. The first and worst impacts of climate change disproportionately affect marginalized communities, perpetuating inequities established through historical colonial practices and Western culture.
Watch the Video:
Climate Short: How Climate Change Impacts Us and Our Well-being
Carbon Sequestration or Carbon Storage
The practice of capturing carbon dioxide that is already in the atmosphere, and storing it. This can happen naturally, as growing trees and plants turn CO2 into biomass—this is the foundational premise of Natural Climate Solutions.
Read the Blog:
From PNG to PNW: Climate Focused Q&A with Dr. Ailene Ettinger
Climate Adaptation
In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects, in order to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate and its effects. In other words, adaptation boils down to helping ecosystems and communities plan ahead for, and adapt to, climate change.
Watch the Video:
Frozen Frontiers Video
Climate Mitigation
A human intervention to reduce emissions or enhance the “sinks”—absorption, sequestration, or storage—of greenhouse gases. In other words, mitigation is the interruption or reduction of climate change-driving emissions.
Read the Blog:
2023 Legislative Session Ends with Big Wins for Air Quality, Resiliency Planning, and Clean Energy
Climate Resilience
Climate resilience is the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate. Improving climate resilience involves assessing how climate change will create new, or alter current, climate-related risks, and taking steps to better cope with these risks.
Watch the Video: Cle Elum Ridge Forest Lab
Climate Equity
Climate equity ensures that all people have access and opportunity to benefit from climate solutions, while not bearing an unequal burden of the impacts of climate change. This requires a holistic approach to equity in climate work that divides the burden of responding to climate change amongst those who contribute the most to the issue, while sharing the opportunities and benefits that equitable climate action presents with those that are most impacted.
Watch the Video: One Million Trees
Natural Climate Solution
Leveraging the power of nature to mitigate climate change through the conservation, restoration and management of natural spaces—forests, grasslands, and wetlands—with the goal of allowing nature to absorb, filter, and store CO2.
Read the Blog:
Port Susan Bay Preserve: Where have all the Chinook gone? (Part 2)
