8001: Human Impact & Evolution

Renewable resource

A natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed

Endangered species

A species in danger of becoming extinct in the near future

Extinction

A term that typically describes a species that no longer has any known living individuals.

carbon dioxide

CO2; gas that is given off as waste and is a greenhouse gas

Fossil fuels

Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.

Greenhouse Effect

Natural situation in which heat is trapped in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases

Pollution

Release of harmful materials into the environment

Climate

The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

Deforestation

The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves.

Sustainability

The use of Earth's renewable and nonrenewable natural resources in ways that do not prevent resource use in the future

Eradicate

to wipe out; to destroy