Global Warming

1
Global Warming

• Evidence and Causes

2
Human Influence and the Greenhouse Effect

• Burning fossil fuels produces Carbon Dioxide
• Carbon Dioxide has been linked to the Greenhouse
  Effect
• The Greenhouse Effect produces global warming of
  the climate

3
Effects of Global Warming

• Expansion of existing deserts
• Droughts
• Increased frequency and severity of storms in
  some areas
• Decreased food production and famine
• Shifting of habitats
• Rise of sea level and coastal flooding

4
So, What is this Greenhouse Effect?
5
Incoming Solar Radiation
6
Absorption of Solar Energy

• More than half of the solar energy received by
  Earth is absorbed
• Rocks, soil, water, buildings, vegetation, etc.
  all absorb solar energy

7
What happens to the absorbed energy?

• Absorbed solar energy (mainly light) is converted
  to heat
• Light is short wavelength radiation - absorbed
• Heat is long wavelength radiation re-radiated

8
Greenhouse gases prevent loss of long wavelength
radiation (heat)
9
Major Greenhouse Gases

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Methane (CH4)
• Other man-made gases

10
History of CO2in the atmosphere
11
How much is natural and how much is human-induced?

• ?