Global warming: mechanisms, greenhouse gases, solutions to global warming

1. Greenhouse effect

2. Objectives After this lesson, students should be able to: Define the term greenhouse effect. Explain the mechanisms of greenhouse effect. Explain what are the effects of global warming on Earth and its inhabitant. State and discuss the problems that would be brought up by global warming. Discuss the solutions to prevent global warming.

3. Introduction

4. Introduction to Greenhouse effect What happens to a car that has been sitting in the sun on a hot day with all its windows rolled up?

6. What is “Greenhouse effect”?

8. Mechanisms of Greenhouse effect Sunlight brings energy into the climate system; most of it is absorbed by the oceans and land. 1 THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT: Heat (infrared energy) radiates outward from the warmed surface of the Earth. Some of the infrared energy is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which re-emit the energy in all directions. 2 3

9. Mechanisms of Greenhouse effect Some of the infrared energy further warms the Earth. Some of the infrared energy is emitted into space. 4 5

10. Global warming

11. Mechanisms of Amplified Greenhouse effect AMPLIFIED GREENHOUSE EFFECT: Higher concentrations of CO2 and other "greenhouse" gases trap more infrared energy in the atmosphere than occurs naturally. The additional heat further warms the atmosphere and Earth’s surface. Sunlight brings energy into the climate system; most of it is absorbed by the oceans and land. 6 1

12. Greenhouse gases Major greenhouse gases are: Water vapour Carbon dioxide Methane Nitrous oxide Ozone Chloroflurocarbon (CFC)

13. Causes of Global Warming These are the major causes of global warming: Volcanic eruption Solar and orbital variations. Human activities (due to the increasing human population) Burning of fossil fuel. Clearing of rainforest.

14. Problems caused by global warming Increase in global temperature. Melting of ice in Polar Regions. Rising of sea level. Increase in extreme weather events. Mass extinction of flora and fauna species.

17. Solutions to prevent global warming Use of Renewable energy. Wind Hydroelectric Waves Solar Thermal Use of Nuclear to generate energy. Reforestation. Conservation of energy.

18. SUMMARY Definition of “Greenhouse effect”. Simple description of the mechanisms. Increase in Greenhouse gases results in Global Warming. Solutions to halt the increase in greenhouse gases.