
421
Glossary
Adaptation: An adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or chang-
ing environment. Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment
in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected cli-
matic changes.
Aerosols: Tiny bits of liquid or solid matter suspended in air. They come
from natural sources such as erupting volcanoes and from waste
gases emitted from automobiles, factories, and power plants. By
reecting sunlight, aerosols cool the climate and offset some of the
warming caused by greenhouse gases.
Albedo: The relative reectivity of a surface. A surface with high albedo
reects most of the li