Causes and Effects of Global Warming

1. Global Warming
• What is Global Warming?
• What are the Causes of Global Warming?
• What are the Effects of Global Warming?
• Mitigation / Solution of Global Warming

2. Global Warming
 Global Warming is the heating up of our of our planet.
 The increase in the world’s average temperature, believed to result from the
release of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere by the burning
of fossil fuels.

3. Natural Greenhouse Effect
 The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface.
When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is
reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by
greenhouse gases.
 Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, ozone and some artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs).
 The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth.
This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at around 33 degrees Celsius
warmer than it would otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist.

4. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
The problem we now face is that human activities – particularly burning fossil fuels
(coal, oil and natural gas), agriculture and land clearing – are increasing the
concentrations of greenhouse gases. This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, which is
contributing to warming of the Earth.
 Step 1: Solar radiation reaches the Earth's atmosphere - some of this is reflected
back into space.
 Step 2: The rest of the sun's energy is absorbed by the land and the oceans,
heating the Earth.
 Step 3: Heat radiates from Earth towards space.
 Step 4: Some of this heat is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,
keeping the Earth warm enough to sustain life.
 Step 5: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and land clearing
are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
 Step 6: This is trapping extra heat, and causing the Earth's temperature to rise.

5. Greenhouse effect

6. What are the enhanced greenhouse
gases?
 Earth's atmosphere is mostly made up of nitrogen and oxygen, but these are
not greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are the substances that trap heat,
and they are naturally less abundant in the atmosphere.
 Water vapor is a greenhouse gas, as well as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, ozone, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur
hexafluoride (SF6)
 The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affects the strength of
the greenhouse effect.
 Plants reduce the greenhouse effect by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air,
while human activities like manufacturing increase the greenhouse effect by
adding various greenhouse gases.

7. The Enhanced Greenhouse Gases
CARBON DIOXIDE
 Carbon dioxide is produced by power stations, factories and road vehicles that burn
fossil fuels. Deforestation and the burning of rainforests also produces carbon dioxide.
METHANE
 Methane is released from waste dumps, farms and rice fields.
NITROUS OXIDES NITROUS OXIDES
 Nitrous oxides are emitted from car exhausts, power exhausts, power stations and
fertilizers.
CFC’S (CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS)
 These are released from aerosols, plastic, foam packaging and fridges. They are the
most dangerous of greenhouse gases as they absorb more heat than carbon dioxide.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
 organic compounds that contain fluorine and hydrogen atoms, are the most common
type of organofluorine compounds. They are commonly used in air conditioning and as
refrigerants

8. The Enhanced Greenhouse Gases
PERFLUOROCARBONS (PFCS)
 sometimes referred to as perfluorocarbons or PFCs organofluorine
compounds that contain only carbon and fluorine, wherein all C-H bonds have
been replaced by C-F
SULFUR HEXAFLUORIDE (SF6)
 is an inorganic, colorless, odorless, non-flammable, extremely potent
greenhouse gas, and an excellent electrical insulator. SF as an octahedral
geometry, consisting of six fluorine atoms attached to a central sulfur atom. It
is a hyper valent molecule. Typical for a nonpolar gas, it is poorly soluble in
water but quite soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. It is generally
transported as a liquefied compressed gas. SF6 is used in several non-electric
and electronic applications.
NITROGEN TRIFLUORIDE* (NF3)
 is the inorganic compound with the formula NF3. This nitrogen-fluorine
compound is a colorless, odorless, nonflammable gas. It finds increasing use
as an etchant in microelectronics. Nitrogen trifluoride is an extremely strong
greenhouse gas.

9. Global Warming:
Causes
 Global warming is thought to be due to the enhanced greenhouse effect
enhanced greenhouse effect
 The Earth is surrounded by a layer of gases, including carbon dioxide.
 This keeps the Earth warm by preventing the escape of heat that would
normally be lost from the atmosphere.
 The gases act rather like the glass in a greenhouse.
 They let in heat but prevent most of it from getting out.

10. Global Warming:
Effects
 Melting glaciers, early snowmelt, and severe droughts will cause more
dramatic water shortages and increase the risk of wildfires in the American
West.
 Rising sea levels will lead to coastal flooding on the Eastern Seaboard,
especially in Florida, and in other areas such as the Gulf of Mexico.
 Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves, heavy
downpours, and increased flooding. All those factors will damage or destroy
agriculture and fisheries.
 Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and Alpine meadows could drive
many plant and animal species to extinction.
 Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks will become more
common due to increased growth of pollen-producing ragweed, higher levels
of air pollution, and the spread of conditions favorable to pathogens and
mosquitoes.

11. Cause and Effect of Global Warming

12. Mitigation / Solution
 Reducing emissions of and stabilizing the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere
 involves reducing the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere, either by reducing sources of these gases (for example, the
burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat or transport) or enhancing
the “sinks” that accumulate and store these gases (such as the oceans,
forests and soil).
 Adapting to the climate change already in the pipeline
 involves adjusting to actual or expected future climate. The goal is to
reduce our vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change (like
sea-level encroachment, more intense extreme weather events or food
insecurity).

13. Laws Enacted Concerning Global
Warming
The Kyoto Protocol
is an international treaty which extends the 1992 United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits State Parties to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that (a) global
warming is occurring and (b) it is extremely likely that human-made CO2
emissions have predominantly caused it. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in
Kyoto, Japan, on December 11, 1997 and entered into force on February 16,
2005. There are currently 192 parties
The Paris Agreement
 The Paris Agreement is the first truly global effort to reduce emissions. To
date, 160 UNFCCC parties have made voluntary pledges to reduce emissions
up to 2030, including China, the US and the European Union (on behalf of the
UK and other EU nations).
 The main aim of the Paris Agreement is to hold the increase in global average
temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue
efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

14. Laws Enacted Concerning Global
Warming
UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
created in 1992 as the main forum for international action on climate change. Its
overall aim is to:
 195 countries have joined the international agreement (known as a
convention). Negotiations focus on four key areas:
 mitigating (reducing) greenhouse gas emissions
 adapting to climate change
 reporting of national emissions
 financing of climate action in developing countries

15. Laws Enacted Concerning Global
Warming

16. Global Warming

17. Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Buying products with minimal packaging will help to reduce waste. By
recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon
dioxide annually.
 Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
Adding insulation to your walls and installing weather stripping or caulking
around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25
percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your
home. Turn down the heat while you’re sleeping at night or away during the
day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times. Install a programmable
thermostat because setting it just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in
summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

18. Ten Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
 Replace Your Light Bulbs
Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact florescent light
(CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL
will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10 times longer than
incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less
heat. If every Canadian family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it
would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5
million cars off the road.
 Drive Less and Drive Smart
Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and
biking are great forms of exercise. Explore the York Region Transit system and
check out options for carpooling to work or school.

19. Ten Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
 Buy Energy-Efficient Products
Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and
compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light
while using far less energy than standard light bulbs.
 Use Less Hot Water
Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an
insulating blanket if it is more than 15 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to
save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your
clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy
required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of
carbon dioxide annually in most households.

20. Ten Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
 Use the "Off" Switch
Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you
leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to
turn off your television, stereo and computer when you're not using them. It’s
also a good idea to turn off the water when you’re not using it. While
brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the
water until you actually need it for rinsing.
 Plant a Tree
If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. Trees absorb carbon
dioxide and give off oxygen. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton
of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

21. Ten Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
 Encourage Others to Conserve
Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends,
neighbours and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public
officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.

22. Ten Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gases