Global warming

Limousine Liberal Hypocrisy, by CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER

Mitigation. The first line of attack in battling global warming, mitigation is the business of preventing excess carbon dioxide from being released. Wind, solar and nuclear energy are mitigation strategies for generating power. Biofuels and hybrids are mitigations for cars and trucks. Carbon dioxide mitigation does not necessarily mitigate real pollution.

Adaptation. Warming will get worse before it gets better, and for now we need to adapt to survive. Floodplains and coastal cities are especially vulnerable, so better levees and coastal defense are part of the adaptive strategy. Some low-lying areas may have to be abandoned altogether.

Greenwashing. The practice of making environmental promises favoring hype over substance, a disparaging term usually applied to corporations such as automakers that tout new hybrids but still peddle gas-guzzling SUVs and lobby against increased-mileage requirements.

California. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger committed the state to a 25% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020; he was promptly sued by carmakers that would have to increase fuel efficiency to sell there. If California prevails, the size of its market could turn its regulations into a de facto national standard. While no other states have passed limits as strict as California's, about one-third of the U.S. population lives, in 2007, in areas where there are automotive-carbon limits in place or under consideration, with curbs in place in 11 states so far.

Carbon neutral. Describes an entity that releases the same amount of carbon dioxide that it absorbs, hence producing a carbon footprint of zero. An ideal state that some green-minded individuals, colleges and corporations are striving to achieve through purchasing offsets, that is, investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects.

Stabilization wedge. A set of strategies to reduce the growth of carbon emissions. Taken together, conservation and alternative energy form a “wedge” that lowers the angle of the rise in carbon emissions.

Climate refugees. People, about 25 million, displaced by climate-induced disasters.

Embodied energy. Total fuel, water and other resources consumed by a product during its life cycle (growth, harvest, manufacture, storage, transport and sale); lowering it reduces greenhouse gases.

Energy security. A state marked by the absence of fear of disruption in the global oil supply. Pursued by corporations and governments through investments in alternative fuels and energy efficiency.