Presentation Transcript
UNIT 1 Lesson 4: The Greenhouse Effect :UNIT 1 Lesson 4: The Greenhouse Effect
What is the Greenhouse Effect? :What is the Greenhouse Effect? The greenhouse effect is a process by which the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat close to the Earth’s surface, rather than letting it escape to outer space.
Relies on radiation from sun
Relies on ‘greenhouse’ gases in the atmosphere
Keeps the Earth’s surface warm so animal life is possible!!!
Radiation from the Sun :Radiation from the Sun Reaches the Earth’s surface in shorter wave bursts
This energy is captured by the Earth’s surface
Some of it is absorbed
Some of it is changed or converted into what scientists call INFRARED RADIATION or heat
Heat is released from the Earth in longer wavelengths
These longer wavelengths (the heat) cannot pass through the layer of greenhouse gases
Process warms the Earth’s surface
What are the major greenhouse gases? :What are the major greenhouse gases? Carbon Dioxide
Water Vapor
Methane
Where are they located? :Where are they located? Most are located in the first layer of the atmosphere
Some are naturally released by chemical cycles
Some are increasing rapidly because of human activity
How is the Greenhouse Effect related to Global Warming? :How is the Greenhouse Effect related to Global Warming? The greenhouse effect is a natural process that happens in the atmosphere
Human activity is increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Increase in greenhouse gases = more heat trapped
More heat trapped = warmer surface temperatures
Warmer surface temperatures = global warming
Global warming = melting of glaciers and polar ice caps
Carbon Dioxide :Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide is the #1 Greenhouse Gas that is increasing in the atmosphere
Burning of fossil fuels is the reason
Running cars, trucks, airplanes = more CO2
Industrial processes such as generating electricity and creating plastics = more CO2
Humans are putting too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Carbon Cycle is off balance
Humans are also cutting down forests at a rapid pace
End result = global warming of the Earth’s surface
The question: :The question: Are global warming and the greenhouse effect the same thing?
The Answer:
No; they are not the same process.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process in the atmosphere.
Human activity is increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The increase in greenhouse gases is causing a global warming to occur.
CONCLUSION :CONCLUSION Humans must find a way to reduce their need to burn fossil fuels.
(Different ways to power our cars and machines)
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions = less greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Less greenhouse gases = Less global warming