Global warming is the increase in the world’s average temperature, believed to be the result from the release of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels.
This increase in greenhouse gases is causing an increase in the rate of the greenhouse effect .
The earth is warming rather like the inside of a greenhouse. On a basic level the sun’s rays enter the earths atmosphere and are prevented from escaping by the greenhouse gases. This results in higher world temperatures.
Energy from the sun drives the earth's weather and climate, and heats the earth's surface; in turn, the earth radiates energy back into space. Atmospheric greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse.�
Without this natural "greenhouse effect," temperatures would be much lower than they are now, and life as known today would not be possible. Instead, thanks to greenhouse gases, the earth's average temperature is a more hospitable 60°F. However, problems may arise when the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increases. �
What are the�greenhouse gases?
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%, methane concentrations have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%. Why are greenhouse gas concentrations increasing?
Burning of fossil fuels and other human activities are the primary reason for the increased concentration of carbon dioxide.
CFC’s from aerosols, air conditioners, foam packaging and refrigerators most damaging (approx 6%).
Methane is released from decaying organic matter, waste dumps, animal dung, swamps and peat bogs (approx 19%).
Nitrous Oxide is emitted from car exhausts, power stations and agricultural fertiliser (approx 6%).
The major contributor is Carbon Dioxide (approx 64%).
Task 1:The �Greenhouse Effect
Complete your worksheet by cutting and labeling the diagram and answering the questions
Task 2 : Effects of global warming
You are about to see a series of pictures which show some of the effects of global warming.
Draw a rough sketch then write down the effects or titles for the pictures you've drawn
What are the consequences of Global Warming?
What are the pictures showing, what are the effects of global warming?