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The Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect. How much of a difference does the climate system make on Earth?. The climate system moderates Earth’s temperature by TRAPPING and STORING energy from the sun and distributing it around the world This process is also known as the Greenhouse Effect. Greenhouse Effect.

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The Greenhouse Effect

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  1. The Greenhouse Effect

  2. How much of a difference does the climate system make on Earth?

  3. The climate system moderates Earth’s temperature by TRAPPING and STORING energy from the sun and distributing it around the world • This process is also known as the Greenhouse Effect.

  4. Greenhouse Effect • a natural process whereby gases and clouds absorb infrared radiation emitted from the Earth’s surface and radiate it back.

  5. Greenhouse Gases • any gas in the atmosphere (water, carbon dioxide, methane etc.) that absorbs lower-energy infrared radiation.

  6. The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process which has been occurring for millions of years. • If Earth did not have a climate system then the Average Global Temperature would be approximately -18 degrees Celsius ! • Recently humans have begun to upset this natural process by releasing excess greenhouse gases.

  7. Greenhouse Gases • Most of the air in the atmosphere is made up of Nitrogen and Oxygen gases. • Most of the air in the atmosphere is made up of Nitrogen and Oxygen gases. • The two main greenhouse gases are Carbon Dioxide and Water

  8. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • Natural sources of carbon dioxide come from Volcanic eruptions, the burning of organic matter and the cellular respiration of plants and animals • Carbon Cycles through the environment and can be absorbed in carbon sinks (Remember the Carbon Cycle) • However by burning fossil fuels humans are releasing huge quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

  9. Humans are also cutting down forests which help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. • Increasing Carbon Dioxide Levels leads to an increase in global temperatures which in turn causes more carbon dioxide to be released by natural sources.

  10. Carbon Dioxide traps thermal energy (Greenhouse Effect) Global Temperatures Increase More Carbon Dioxide is Released (From Carbon Sinks)

  11. Water Vapour • Accounts for 2/3 of the earths greenhouse effect • Increasing global temperatures cause more and more water to evaporate leading to more global warming.

  12. Higher temperatures lead to more water vapour More water vapour leads to higher temperatures

  13. Methane (CH4) • 23 Times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide • Natural sources come from plant decomposition animal digestion (Flatulence) • Humans have increased methane by increasing sewage wastes and by raising huge numbers of methane producing livestock.

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  15. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) • 300 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than Carbon Dioxide • Natural Sources come from bacteria in the soil and water • Most human sources come from farm/animal food wastes and from fertilizers

  16. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) • Man made gas used in refrigerators and air conditioners • Luckily they are now decreasing due to proper regulation

  17. Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect • By increasing the levels of greenhouse gases humans are directly contributing to climate change. • As we increase the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere we increase the amount of thermal energy trapped in the atmosphere which causes global temperatures to rise.

  18. What are some ways in which you could reduce the amount of greenhouse gases you produce?

  19. Homework • Read Pages 323- 331 • Page 326 # 1-4, page 330 # 5-8 and page 332 # 1-7

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