2. Our earth is surrounded by a layer of gases called
greenhouse gases which are naturally occurring (in other
words they are meant to be there and would be there
whether humans were on the planet or not!) There job is
to keep the planet at a nice warm temperature - in fact
without them there would be no little life on our planet as
the temperature would be 33 c colder and far too cold
for plants and animals to survive. The main gases that
make us this layer are carbon dioxide, methane, CFC and
nitrous oxide. This layer of gas acts like the roof of a
greenhouse and that is why it is called the greenhouse
effect. They allow the suns heat to pass through easily
and warm the planet but they do not allow much to escape
back into space thus keeping us all warm and able to
survive.
3. The greenhouse effect is
NATURAL! It is supposed to
happen! It would happen
even if there was not a
human being on the planet!
In fact if there was no
greenhouse effect then
humans could not live here
as the planet would be 33c
colder and would look like
and be as cold as Mars!
5. Think about the greenhouse as if it was the planet and this is….
6. Unfortunately human activity is adding
more gas to the layer than there should
be. It is therefore getting thicker and
thicker. It is still able to let the sun’s
heat through but even less heat is
escaping back into the atmosphere. This
means that the earth’s temperature is
rising.
7. As you can see the main culprit is
Spend 5 minutes in 2’s listing all the ways that you
have contributed to global warming in the last 24 hours!
8. So where are these gases coming
from ?
Power stations release huge
amounts of carbon dioxide as
they burn coal (a fossil fuel) in
order to produce electricity.
Just think for a moment about
how much electricity we all
use…..!
9.
10. It’s many LEDC’s
They are currently experiencing their
industrial revolution and are becoming the
greatest users and producers of electricity
and are burning huge quantities of fossil
fuels to keep their booming industries
going. This is creating masses of pollution
and contributing greatly to global warming.
C hina and India are partic ular bad
c ontributors to global warming.
11. China is currently the world's second
largest
energy consumer and producer and will
overtake the USA by 2009
6 of the 10 most
polluted cities in the
world are in China!
Picture above: Beijing's smog
Lanzhou
This country is hooked on coal.
With 21,000 coal mines across the
country, it is cheaper and more
easily available than any other form
of energy in China. It is the
lifeblood of its booming economy,
producing 70 per cent of the energy
that fuels its dramatic growth.
12. Engines burn oil which is another
fossil fuel. They also add carbon
back into the atmosphere and
thicken the layer. Just think a
moment about how many vehicles
there are around……
13. But what are the real consequences of global warming
for us all?
ICE CAPS MELTING
AND SEA LEVEL
RISE
14. Global warming causes the polar ice sheets melt. It
increases the sea-level. It will possibly rise 18 cm by
2030 and 58 cm by 2090. Flooding will probably occur
in lowlands. Many cities along the coast may be under
sea water.
15. The loss of polar ice
will have a profound
effect on nature in
particular animal
habitats.
16. Many of the world’s islands are already disappearing
beneath the sea.
The tiny island nation of the Maldives is in trouble. If global warming
continues, say scientists, the country could sink beneath the ocean
within 100 years. The average height of the islands above sea level is
1.5 metres and the rate of sea level rise is currently 59cm per century.
17. Tuvalu is found in the ocean
near Australia. Most of
Tuvalu is less than one metre
above seal level.
18. TUVALU AND GLOBAL WARMING
Jane Resture
I hear the waves on our island shore
They sound much louder than they did before
A rising swell flecked with foam
Threatens the existence of our island home.
A strong wind blows in from a distant place
The palm trees bend like never before
Our crops are lost to the rising sea
And water covers our humble floor.
Our people are leaving for a distant shore
And soon Tuvalu may be no more
Holding on to the things they know are true
Tuvalu my Tuvalu, I cry for you.
And as our people are forced to roam
To another land to call their home
And as you go to that place so new
Take a little piece of Tuvalu with you.
Tuvalu culture is rare and unique
And holds a message we all should seek
Hold our culture way up high
And our beloved Tuvalu will never die
