This is a glossary of climate-related terms, and is very much a work in progress. It will be updated every few days until it is relatively complete, but if you see something missing, please feel free to let me know.
AGW. Anthropogenic Global Warming (see CAGW, Global Warming, NAGW). The proposition that a significant portion of the global warming is due to man’s activities, with emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG’s) typically viewed as the most significant contributor.
CA. Climate Audit. Website run by Stephen McIntyre, at www.climateaudit.org. Dedicated to an audit of climate-related statistics, particularly as they relate to use of proxies in determining paleotemperatures. Has not taken a definitive stance on AGW, CAGW or governmental policy, but with some skeptical leanings. Approach to guest comments: Heavy moderation of ad hominems and profanity. Heavy moderation of off-topic comments. No censoring of opposing viewpoints.
CAGW. Catastrophic Global Warming (see AGW, Global Warming, NAGW). The proposition that AGW will result in catastrophic or significantly negative consequences, whether in terms of its impact on plant and animal life, or its impact on human society in terms of monetary loss, disruption of existing infrastructure, fatalities, or otherwise.
Global Warming. In the most basic sense, the proposition that the average global temperature is increasing. As such, the term does not speak to causation and, further, must properly be limited by reference to the particular timeframe in question. However, the term is rarely used in its most basic sense, and when used in colloquial conversation and in the MSM it instead typically implies that the average global temperature has been increasing in recent decades, largely as a result of man’s activities, and with implied negative results. Thus, in typical usage, global warming is actually a synonym for AGW or, slightly less often, CAGW.
NAGW. Negative Anthropogenic Global Warming (see AGW, CAGW, Global Warming). A term coined by Eric Anderson to refer to generally negative consequences from AGW, but not necessarily rising to the level of catastrophe as in CAGW. In practice, many, if not most, references to “climate change” in the professional literature carry the connotations of NAGW.
NOAA. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A United States Government agency, whose mission is to “understand and predict changes in Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet [the U.S.'s] economic, social and environmental needs.” Runs the NOAA Climate Services Portal at www.climate.gov.
RC. RealClimate. Website run by a small group of scientists, most notably Gavin Schmidt, at www.realclimate.org. Dedicated to an exposition of climate science-related issues and commentary on recent events and news stories. Perhaps the most popular website promoting the CAGW viewpoint. Approach to guest comments: Little to no moderation of ad hominems and profanity. Heavy moderation of off-topic comments. Heavy censoring of opposing viewpoints.
the Air Vent. Website run by Jeff Id, at http://noconsensus.wordpress.com. Dedicated to review of climate-related statistics, particularly as they relate to use of proxies in determining paleotemperatures, as well as a critique of the Steig et al., Antarctic modern temperature reconstructions. Has not taken a definitive stance on AGW or CAGW, but definite skeptical leanings. Occasional political topics. Approach to guest comments: Little to no moderation or censoring of guest comments.
WUWT. Watts Up With That? Website run by Anthony Watts, at www.wattsupwiththat.com. Dedicated to news and commentary on nature, science, weather, climate change, and technology. Also linked to the Surface Stations project, which is located at www.surfacestations.org. Has not taken a definitive stance on AGW or CAGW, but with definite skeptical leanings. Likely the most popular website promoting the skeptical viewpoint. Approach to guest comments: Some moderation of ad hominems and profanity. Little moderation of off-topic comments. No censoring of opposing viewpoints.
