California Climate Change Glossary

Letter F

Falsifiability Rule. Science today recognizes that there is no way to prove the absolute truth of any hypothesis or model, since it is always possible that a different explanation might account for the same observation. In this sense, even the most well established physical laws are "conditional." Hence, with scientific methodology it is never possible to prove conclusively that a hypothesis is true, it is only possible to prove that it is false. (IPCC)

Feedback Mechanisms. A mechanism that connects one aspect of a system to another. The connection can be either amplifying (positive feedback) or moderating (negative feedback). See also Climate Feedback. (EPA)

Fertilization. A term used to denote efforts to enhance plant growth by increased application of nitrogen-based fertilizer or increased deposition of nitrates in precipitation. (EPA)

Final Energy. Energy supplied that is available to the consumer to be converted into useful energy (e.g. electricity at the wall outlet). (IPCC)

Fluorocarbons. Carbon-fluorine compounds that often contain other elements such as hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. Common fluorocarbons include chlorofluorocarbons and related compounds (also know as ozone depleting substances), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorcarbons (PFCs).

Flux. Shifts or flows of carbon over time from one pool to another (e.g. from the atmosphere to the forest). (Australia)

Flux Adjustment. To avoid the problem of a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model drifting into some unrealistic climate state (e.g. excessively warm temperatures in the tropical Pacific ocean), adjustment terms can be applied to the fluxes of heat and precipitation (and sometimes the surface stresses resulting from the effect of the wind on the ocean surface) below being imposed on the model ocean. (IPCC)

Forcing Mechanism. A process that alters the energy balance of the climate system, i.e. changes the relative balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation from Earth. Such mechanisms include changes in solar irradiance, volcanic eruptions, and enhancement of the natural greenhouse effect by emission of carbon dioxide. See also Radiative Forcing. (EPA)

Forestry/Forestation. The science and art of cultivating, maintaining, and developing forests. (Lenn)

Fossil Fuel. A general term for combustible geologic deposits of carbon in reduced (organic) form and of biological origin, including coal, oil, natural gas, oil shales, and tar sands. A major concern is that they emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when burnt, thus significantly contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect. (EPA)

Fossil Fuel Combustion. Burning of coal, oil (including gasoline), or natural gas. This burning, usually to generate energy, releases carbon dioxide, as well as combustion by products that can include unburned hydrocarbons, methane, and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide, methane, and many of the unburned hydrocarbons slowly oxidize into carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Common sources of fossil fuel combustion include cars and electric utilities. (EPA)

Fossil Fuel Reserves. The quantity of a fossil fuel that is known to exist, based on geological and engineering evidence, and that can be recovered under current economic conditions and operating capabilities. (IPCC)

Fossil Fuel Resources. The quantity of fossil fuel that is thought to exist and that may be recoverable based on an explicit scenario for future economic conditions and operating capabilities. (IPCC)

Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). The landmark international treaty unveiled at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, also known as the "Rio Summit"), in June 1992. The FCCC commits signatory countries to stabilize anthropogenic (i.e., human-induced) greenhouse gas emissions to "levels that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system". The FCCC also requires that all signatory parties develop and update national inventories of anthropogenic emissions of all greenhouse gases not otherwise controlled by the Montreal Protocol. Out of 155 countries that have ratified this accord, the U.S. was the first industrialized nation to do so. (EPA)

Full-cost Pricing. The pricing of commercial goodsÐsuch as electric powerÑthat would include in the final price faced by the end user not only the private cost of inputs, but also the cost of externalities created by their production and use. (IPCC)