academic: Relating to school, classes or things taught by teachers in formal institutes of learning (such as a college).  application: A particular use or function of something.  climate: The weather conditions that typically exist in one area, in general, or over a long period.  climate change: Long-term, significant change in the climate of Earth. It can happen naturally or in response to human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and clearing of forests.  defense: (in biology) A natural protective action taken or chemical response that occurs when a species confronts predators or agents that might harm it.   ecosystem: A group of interacting living organisms — including microorganisms, plants and animals — and their physical environment within a particular climate. Examples include tropical reefs, rainforests, alpine meadows and polar tundra. The term can also be applied to elements that make up some artificial environment, such as a company, classroom or the internet.  environment: The sum of all of the things that exist around some organism or the process and the condition those things create. Environment may refer to the weather and ecosystem in which some animal …