The Greenhouse Effect

1. The Greenhouse Effect

2. The problem of global warming

We can’t say that
we do not notice it
or know nothing
about it. The melting
of ice, earthquakes
and other natural
disasters… Are they
connected in any
way with the
greenhouse effect?

3. What is the greenhouse effect?

The Sun’s warmth heats the
surface of the Earth, which
in turn radiates energy back
into space. Some of this
radiation, which is nearly all
in infrared spectrum, is
trapped in the atmosphere
by greenhouse gases. The
trapped radiation warms the
lower atmosphere, or the
troposphere. Some heat
then finds its way back down
to the Earth's surface,
making it hotter than it would
otherwise be.

4. Is the greenhouse effect a thoroughly bad thing?

Not quite. Without it , the
planet would not be warm
enough to support life as
we know it. The problem is
that pre-industrial
greenhouse gas levels are
being boosted by burning
fossil fuels. If nothing is
done to curb emissions,
the amount of CO2 in the
atmosphere will probably
be more than double preindustrial levels by the end
of this century.

5. Are the water vapour and carbon dioxide all we have to worry about?

• No. Other gases can absorb infrared radiation
and contribute to greenhouse warming. These
include methane, ozone, CFCs
(chlorofluorocarbons) and nitrous oxide
released by fertilizers.

6. How do we know that pre-industrial greenhouse gas levels were?

7.

8. What effects are global warming feedbacks likely to have?

One of the easiest
to estimate is the
“ice-melting”
feedback. As the
world warms, ice
caps will melt . Ice
reflects solar
radiation. Less ice
- less reflection.
So it will increase
warming.

9. The negative effect of ice-melting

It may also
increase
cloud
cover,
cooling the
Earth.

10. Is there any evidence of a speed–up in the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere?

Yes. Since the start of
the 21st century, the rate
of accumulation has
accelerated. It is now at
twice the 1990s level. It
could be that the forests
and oceans are losing
the ability to absorb our
pollution. If so, then
global warming could
shortly gather pace.

11. What are some of the most significant effects global warming will have on the human race?

As rainfall
patterns
alter, rivers
will dry up
in some
regions,
while
others will
flood.

12. Rising sea level will wipe out many islands and flood low-lying areas.

13. What can we do and what can be done?

14. It’s up to us what to do to save our fragile planet!