Responses to environmental change which aim to modify human behaviour and economic systems permanently (e.g. declining rainfall might encourage farmers to introduce more efficient drip irrigation, grow drought-resistant crops or convert arable to livestock farms)

The relationship between cause and effect. A causal agent creates change in a dependent variable (e.g. torrential rainfall [cause] leads to widespread flooding [effect]).

The state of stability in a system achieved when a balance exists between inputs and outputs.

An automatic internal response to change in systems. Negative feedback restores a system to balance (e.g. rising temperatures lead to increased cloud cover which reflects more incoming solar radiation and eventually lowers temperatures). Positive feedback amplifies change (e.g. rising temperatures lead to ice melting which means less radiation is reflected by the ice, causing temperatures to rise further).

The multiple interconnections and linkages between nations, groups of people, businesses and individuals which make up the modern world system.

How something is recognised. This concept is closely associated with place and can often have an emotional connection.

The unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, well-being etc. within society.

At global scale, the mutual dependence of two or more countries in which there is a reciprocal relationship. This is a growing feature of globalisation.

Action which is taken to lessen the impacts of natural hazards on people, economy and society. It does not aim to prevent hazards from occurring (e.g. sea walls, earthquake resistant buildings)

The ways by which meanings are given to the world. This is influenced by our perceptions, moulded by factors such as age, gender and educational experiences. It can include prose, pictures, architecture and landscapes as well as data about places.

The ability of countries, communities, households and environmental systems to resist, absorb and recover from the effects of shocks or stresses such as hazards, violent conflict or economic strife.

The probability of a range of possible outcomes resulting from specific events such as economic shock or hazard. It is likely to be exacerbated by climate change and land-use change and the effects of globalisation.

The use of resources that is environmentally and economically viable in the long term.

Groups of related objects, whether physical or human. These are found at all scales, from a garden pond to a drainage basin; and in both physical (global atmospheric system) and human (global economic systems) geography.

Critical tipping points in a system, which if exceeded result in massive and irreversible change