2. What is the greenhouse effect? Climate change? Global warming? The greenhouse effect is the trapping of the sun’s warmth in a planet’s lower atmosphere due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun than to infrared radiation emitted from the planet’s surface. Climate change is a change in the world’s climate. Global warming the gradual increase in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere, believed to be due to the greenhouse effect caused by increasing levels of pollutants like carbon dioxide.
3. How are each related? For example, when humans use cars, airplanes, factories, etc. they release pollutants into the atmosphere, where they are trapped by the greenhouse effect, which contributes to global warming, which is increasing the world’s climate change.
4. What are the primary causes of global warming? Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas releases carbon dioxide, and about half of that stays in the atmosphere (this is the biggest factor for global warming). (A single gallon of gasoline, when burned, releases 19 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere)
5. What are the possible consequences if we do not work to stop global warming? Mass extinction in the oceans (acidity levels rise) Redraw the planet’s coastlines Ravage food supplies
6. How is global warming impacting economy? Newly created land and recently melted water could be worth millions of dollars, causing fights to be broken out over them. There would also claims on the undiscovered oil and other natural resources hidden in the Arctic ice.
7. What are several ways we can all fight global warming? Recycle Use less heat and air conditioning Change regular light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs Drive your car less; try walking or riding a bike Plant trees All of these help to reducing the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
8. What is the basic argument(s) against global warming? Some scientists believe that there is no evidence in humans contributing to the Earth warming up Temperature data shows no warming Predictions about global warming aren’t based on historical data Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change do not prove that humans cause global warming A warmer climate would be beneficial to civilization Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions wouldn’t be any help and be too costly
9. What are your personal opinions about global warming? Global warming does exist, due to evidence like the polar ice caps melting. It’s a much more serious issue than most people think it is, since it could seriously affect future civilizations and ecosystems. Humans can’t ignore this and think up excuses for why it’s not real. It’s not going to go away by itself.
