Global Warming
...This occurs when greenhouse gases trap sun’s heat and light in the earth’s atmosphere, which increases the temperature. They warm the world
•Greenhouse gases are:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2),
Water Vapor (clouds),
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) and
Methane (CH4),
The gases allow sunlight in, which warms the earth. This heat bounces off the earth as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases such as water vapor (clouds) and carbon dioxide (CO2) trap and retain the heat.The greenhouse effect is necessary to make life possible on earth.
Causes of Global Warming
Scientists have two views:
a) Global Warming is due to earth’s natural cycle of warming and cooling.
b) Global Warming is the result of human activities.
Historical evidence demonstrates that since industrialization humans are dramatically contributing to the “greenhouse effect” such as:
Pollution from factories
Carbon Dioxide from burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas, oil
Deforestation
The most important greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2). First producer of CO2 is from the burning of fossils fuels, increased 80% in the last twenty years. The second is deforestation that produces 20-25%. Since 1750, levels of atmospheric concentration of CO2 have increased by 31% percent above the pre-industrial levels. In 2000, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 was of 383 parts per million (ppm) by volume
Effects of Global Warming
• NASA reports that 2005 ranks as the hottest year on record, matching 1998
• The global average temperature has increased 1.1oF (0.6oC)
• Affecting the ecological productivity. Higher concentrations of carbon dioxide have the tendency to reduce photorespiration, suppressing growth.
• Biodiversity as a result of the ecosystems interactions with the changes in temperature.
• Disrupting...
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