9781422274507

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

allergen any substance that can cause an allergy

calamity an event resulting in great loss to humans and property

calving releasing of ice

cyclone a violent, rotating windstorm

desertification the process which changes habitable land into a desert; usually caused by climate change or destructive use of land

disruption the act of causing disorder

emergency a state in which some powers of public institutions are suspended for a certain period

extensively in a widespread way

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

frostbite a condition in which the skin becomes frozen and loses feeling

hail pellets of frozen rain

hay fever a seasonal inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose, caused by an allergic reaction to pollen

hydroelectricity electricity produced by water power

hypothermia a condition in which the body temperature drops below normal

induced brought about or caused, not spontaneous

CLIMATE CHANGE: Problems and Progress

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