The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

1
The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
GHB 2005
2
(No Transcript)
3
What happens when heat radiation hits the ground?
Some heat energy is absorbed by the ground
4
What happens to heat radiation after it is
reflected by the ground?
5
The higher the concentration of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere
the more heat is absorbed by the atmosphere.
The more heat radiation that is absorbed by
greenhouse gases
the warmer the atmosphere becomes.
6
What happens if the temperature of the atmosphere
increases?
7
Sea levels will
8
The main greenhouse gases are
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane

• Oxides of Nitrogen
• (i.e. N2O)

- Water vapour
9
5.2.2
10
Sources of Greenhouse Gases
carbon dioxide
methane
Methane
Carbon dioxide
(Mostly burps, but also
(Respiration)
some farts!)
11
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,
in a process called
photosynthesis
Chopping down trees
increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, by
reducing the rate of photosynthesis
12
The Carbon Cycle photosynthesis, cell
respiration, fossilization and combustion
13
(No Transcript)
14
Mr Burns has bought a large tract of South
American Rain Forest
He wants to turn part of the land into pasture
for cattle
On the rest of the land, he wants to build a
factory for turning the cattle into canned steak
pies
These pies will be exported to Europe
What is the likely impact of this plan on global
warming? Explain your answer as fully as possible.
15
5.2.4Outline the Precautionary Principle.

• Normally, scientists must prove that something
  will happen, rather than proving that it will not
  happen
• However, when the consequences are potentially
  catastrophic to human kind, the precautionary
  principle comes into play
• The principle states that those responsible for
  the change must prove that it will not do harm
  before proceeding.

16
Precautionary Principle Contd

• This principle can apply to global warming, the
  release of alien species, and other potentially
  large changes caused by humans

17
5.2.5

• Evaluate the precautionary principle as a
  justification for strong action in response to
  the threats posed by the enhanced greenhouse
  effect.

18
5.2.6 Outline the consequences of a global
temperature rise on arctic ecosystems.

• include increased rates of decomposition of
  detritus previously trapped in permafrost
• expansion of the range of habitats available to
  temperate species
• loss of ice habitat
• changes in distribution of prey species,
  affecting higher trophic levels
• and increased success of pest species, including
  pathogens