| acid rain Acidic rain produced as a result of the release into the atmosphere of acidic gases such as sulphur dioxide, generated by the combustion of fossil fuel in power stations and cars. |
| end use energy The energy actually consumed at the point of use. |
| global warming The possible increase in average global temperatures as a result of an enhanced ‘greenhouse effect’ due to the release of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere: global warming is one element in the resultant process of ‘climate change’. |
| Kondratiev cycles The ‘long waves’ (i.e. cyclic patterns) in global economic activity identified by Kondratiev, and interpreted by some subsequent economists as being due to regular bursts of technological innovation. |
| nuclear fission The process of splitting the nucleus of certain atoms (e.g. uranium) with the resultant release of heat and radiation, as in atomic bombs or nuclear reactors. |
| nuclear fusion The process of fusing together certain light elements (e.g. hydrogen) to yield heat and radiation, as in the H-bomb and the yet to be fully developed fusion reactor. |
| primary energy The energy in the basic fuels or energy sources used, e.g. the energy in the fuel fed into conventional power stations. |
-232-
