FAQs and Glossary of Terms

Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get. As the climate changes, seasonal weather patterns and events happen at different times of year or aren’t happening at all. In some cases, weather can be more extreme or will be different from past weather events.

The difference between previous climate changes and the one experienced by Earth, and us, now is the time between change, known as rate of change.

Earth began to experience an increased rate of climate change after the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. Carbon (CO2) emitted from the burning of fossil fuels became known, amongst others, as greenhouse gases which form an invisible shield around the Earth. This shield traps the release of heat into Earth’s atmosphere, creating a positive feedback loop that lingers and creates global warming patterns. Increased use of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution, heightened by modern human activity, continues to negatively influence the rate of climate change.

When calculating a GHGI, there are 3 classifications of GHG emissions that can be analyzed to produce the final estimate of metric tonnage of carbon produced by encompassed operations.

• Scope 1 Emissions: Are emissions associated with facilities, vehicles, and equipment owned by an organization. For example, a trucking company would report vehicle fuel use emissions for the trucks it owns, and a city would report the emissions used to heat city hall.

• Scope 2 Emissions: Are emissions from electricity generation necessary for the function of an organization. For example, electricity, a building that fuels onsite renewable power would have lower GHG emissions than a building that sources electricity from a fossil fuel-based utility company.

•  Scope 3 Emissions: Are emissions indirect to the core product of an organization, but necessary activities for workflow function. For example, an elementary school might need heat and electricity (scope 1 and 2, respectively) to create the core product of a safe school environment, but activities such as waste generation, consumption of water, and employee commutes are necessary activities for the school to function.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons (refrigerants), nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapor that, when released into the atmosphere, trap heat from the sun, causing temperatures to rise. These gases are emitted through everyday activities that use energy (vehicle travel, heating/cooling of buildings, waste processing, etc.).

The amount of GHGs emitted by a person, building, or community demonstrate their total carbon footprint. Carbon footprints are typically calculated into metric carbon tons which is a formula of carbon that encompasses all sources of GHGs.

Climate adaptation is when people and processes adjust to mitigate the impacts of a changing system on their daily lives. This includes switching to community solar to reduce rising energy costs, shopping from local farmer’s markets to avoid rising shipping costs and finding alternative modes to work to lower vehicle emissions in your neighborhood.

Climate resiliency is when people and processes take action to prevent impacts of climate change on their ecosystem such as purchasing heat pumps to cool their space in response to rising temperatures, installing green infrastructure on their lawn to lessen flooding, and halting fertilizer practices that when paired with rising temperatures, harm drinking water quality from algae blooms.

Methods of and solutions for climate adaptation and resiliency are often intertwined, but it is important to know that ultimately the City of Syracuse will pursue those that improve quality of life for all, now and tomorrow.

BUILDING ENVELOPE: The physical barrier between the inside and outside of a building (walls, roof, windows, doors) that controls heat, air, and moisture flow.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT: The process of monitoring, controlling, and optimizing energy use to improve efficiency and reduce costs and emissions.

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Power generated from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydropower with little or no greenhouse gas emissions.

GREENING THE GRID: Transitioning the electricity system to rely more on renewable energy and lower-carbon sources.

MICROMOBILITY: Small, lightweight transportation modes (like bikes, e-scooters, and e-bikes), typically used for short distances.

GLOBAL WARMING: The long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature, mainly due to human caused greenhouse gas emissions.

POSITIVE FEEDBACK LOOP: A process where an initial change triggers effects that amplify that change (e.g., melting ice reduces reflectivity, causing more warming and more melting).

EVAPOTRANSPIRATION: The combined process of water evaporating from land and transpiring (releasing moisture) from plants into the atmosphere.

URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT: A phenomenon where cities and densely built urban areas become significantly warmer than nearby rural areas, especially at night, because of a lack of tree canopy and dark pavement.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE: Natural or nature-based systems (like parks, green roofs, wetlands) that manage water, reduce heat, and improve environmental quality.

GREY INFRASTRUCTURE: Traditional, engineered systems (like roads, pipes, sewers, and buildings) used for transportation, water, and other services.

CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION: Coordination and teamwork between different departments within the same organization.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COLLABORATION: Cooperation between different levels of government (local, state, federal, or international).

NEW YORK CLIMATE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT (CLCPA): A major New York State law (passed in 2019) that commits the state to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to clean energy, and prioritizing environmental justice.

CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES PROGRAM (CSC): A New York State program that helps local governments take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate.

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (NYSDEC): A state government agency responsible for conserving, improving, and protecting New York's natural resources and environment, including land, water, and air.