The document discusses the greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases. It explains that sunlight warms the Earth's surface and some heat escapes into the atmosphere and is trapped by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. Carbon dioxide is identified as the most important greenhouse gas because the extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels and deforestation traps more heat, contributing to global warming. Global warming is projected to increase Earth's average temperature by around 4 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050, with consequences including more hurricanes, droughts, floods, and changed weather patterns and higher sea levels. Reducing fossil fuel usage and preserving forests can help slow the greenhouse effect.

1. Greenhouse
Earth

2. Greenhouse effect:
1. sunlight streams
through
atmosphere & hits
Earth.

3. 2. Hot air rises
- some air escapes to
space
- some air is trapped
by gases in the
troposphere

4. Greenhouse Gases:
gases that
trap & radiate
heat

6. Greenhouse Gases
qwater vapor methane
q
qCO2 qnitrous
qchlorofluoro oxide
-carbons
(CFCs)

8. Greenhouse Gases
Which
greenhouse
gas is the CO2
most
important?

9. Why?
Extra CO2 in the
atmosphere traps
more heat.
This CO2 comes
from:

10. 1. burning
fossil fuels

11. 2. Deforestation
(less plants left
to absorb CO2)

14. Global Warming
avg. temp of Earth may
increase by ~4° F by
2050.

16. Consequences
1. more hurricanes,
droughts, and
floods

17. Consequences
2. Weather patterns
change

18. Consequences
3. Higher sea levels
(some coasts under
water)

19. Slow down GH Effect
1. reduce use of
fossil fuels

20. Slow down GH Effect
2. preserve
forests, plant
trees