The document discusses global warming and the greenhouse effect. It explains that global warming refers to rising earth surface temperatures due to an increase in greenhouse gases, which leads to an enhanced greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that helps regulate the climate, but human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation are distorting this process and accelerating global warming by emitting more greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. The effects of the rising temperatures caused by the unbalanced greenhouse gases include more severe storms, droughts, habitat damage and species extinction.

1. MS. KOPCHICK’S EARTH SCIENCE CLASS GLOBAL WARMING AND THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

2. Global warming refers to a rise in the temperature of the surface of the earth An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases leads to an increase in the magnitude of the greenhouse effect . (Called enhanced greenhouse effect) What is the difference between Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect?

3. GREENHOUSE GASES REGULATE OUR CLIMATE BY TRAPPING HEAT AND HOLDING IT IN A KIND OF WARM-AIR BLANKET THAT SURROUNDS THE PLANET. WITHOUT IT, OUR AVERAGE TEMPERATURE WOULD BE COLDER BY 54 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY TO COLD TO SUSTAIN OUR CURRENT ECOSYSTEM! The Greenhouse Effect is a GOOD THING!

5. THE PROBLEM WITH THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT IS WHEN HUMAN ACTIVITIES DISTORT AND ACCELERATE THE NATURAL PROCESS BY CREATING MORE GREENHOUSE GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE The “Enhanced” Greenhouse Effect

7. CARBON DIOXIDE (CO 2 ) Source: Fossil fuel burning, deforestation Anthropogenic increase: 30% Average atmospheric residence time: 500 years METHANE (CH 4 ) Source: Rice cultivation, cattle & sheep ranching, decay from landfills, mining Anthropogenic increase: 145% Average atmospheric residence time: 7-10 years Greenhouse Gases

8. NITROUS OXIDE (N 2 O) Source: Industry and agriculture (fertilizers) Anthropogenic increase: 15% Average atmospheric residence time: 140-190 years WATER VAPOR (H2O) THE MOST IMPORTANT GREENHOUSE GAS!! SOURCES: EVAPORATION ANTHROPOGENIC INCREASE: 35 % Greenhouse Gases

9. BURNING NATURAL GAS, COAL, OIL RAISES THE LEVEL OF CO2 IN THE ATMOSPHERE SOME FARMING PRACTICES AND LAND-USE CHANGES INCREASES THE LEVELS OF METHANE AND NITROUS OXIDE MANY FACTORIES PRODUCE LONG LASTING INDUSTRIAL GASES THAT DO NOT OCCUR NATURALLY AND THOSE GASES ENHANCE THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT More greenhouse gases means more heat trapped which increases the Earth’s temperature

10. DEFORESTATION: TREES USE CO2 AND GIVE OFF O2 IN WHICH HELPS TO CREATE THE OPTIMAL BALANCE OF GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE. AS MORE FORESTS ARE LOGGED FOR TIMBER OR CUT DOWN TO MAKE WAY FOR FARMING, THERE ARE FEWER TREES TO PERFORM THIS CRITICAL FUNCTION. IN ADDITION WHEN THIS WOOD IS BURNED IT PRODUCES EVEN MORE CO2 IN THE ATMOSPHERE . Even more ways these gases are added to the atmosphere!

11. AS MORE PEOPLE USE FOSSIL FUELS FOR HEAT, TRANSPORTATION AND INDUSTRY, THE LEVEL OF GREENHOUSE GASES CONTINUE TO INCREASE. AS MORE FARMING OCCURS TO FEED MILLIONS OF NEW PEOPLE, MORE GREENHOUSE GASES ENTER THE ATMOSPHERE Population Growth

12. ICE How do scientists measure the increase of greenhouse gases?

16. Increased Temperature Rising Sea Level Effects of Global Warming due to the unbalance of greenhouse gases

17. Habitat Damage and Species Extinction Changes in water supply; contamination of fresh water Effects of Global Warming due to the unbalance of greenhouse gases

18. More severe storms; hurricanes and floods Droughts, changes in weather patterns Effects of Global Warming due to the unbalance of greenhouse gases

19. Portage Glacier Alaska then…. Portage Glacier Alaska now…. Some Proof of Global Warming

20. Colorado River, Az June 2002 Colorado River, Az December 2003 Some Proof of Global Warming

21. What can we do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

22. Wind Power Solar Power Educate and Use!!

23. Fuel Efficient Cars Compact Fluorescent Educate and Use!!

24. TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER OR THE TV WHEN YOU’RE NOT USING IT. TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS. HEATING WATER USES ENERGY. KEEP ROOMS COOL BY CLOSING THE BLINDS, SHADES, OR CURTAINS. TURN OFF THE LIGHTS WHEN YOU LEAVE A ROOM. USE COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS Today you can….