Ch 11.2 What is causing our climate to change? Flashcards
How greenhouse effect works?
First, the sun’s energy reaches the earth surface as shortwave radiation. Second, the earth’s surface absorbs some of this energy and is heated. Third, energy is emitted into the atmosphere as longwave radiation. Greenhouse gases absorb some of this energy as longwave radiation. Last, energy is re-radiated back to the earth’s surface as counter-radiation. The earth is kept warm.
Name the greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, man-made greenhouse gases.
How human activity intensify greenhouse effect for carbon dioxide?
Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, farming and waste treatment.
Explain on burning fossil fuels for carbon dioxide.
Carbon is originally locked up in rocks and soil on earth. Generating fossil fuels for human consumption in different sectors like power generation, industrial activities, sea and transport release carbon dioxide.
Explain on deforestation for carbon dioxide.
To provide land for farming and urban development, trees are often cleared through cutting and burning. Thsi releases carbon that is stored in trees and reduces the amount of plants that help absorb carbon dioxide in the air. It also reduces the size of carbon sink.
Explain on farming for carbon dioxide.
Cattle rearing: the respiration of cattle releases carbon dioxide, using fossil fuels in farm machines and burning organic waste in farms.
Explain on waste treatment of carbon dioxide.
Burning waste in incinerators.
How human activity intensify greenhouse effect for methane?
Farming activities, melting of permafrost and waste treatment.
Explain on farming activities for methane.
Cattle rearing: digestive process of cattle releases methane. Paddy farming.
Explain on melting of permafrost for release of methane.
Permafrost is the soil, sediment or rock which is continuously frozen. Methane releases when permafrost melts.
Explain on waste treatment for release of methane.
Organic waste materials decomposes in landfills release methane.
How human activity intensify greenhouse effect for nitrous oxide.
Burning of fossil fuels, farming activities, waste treatment and industrial activities.
Explain on burning of fossil fuels on release of nitrous oxide.
Generate power for human consumption in different sectors.
Explain on farming activities on release of nitrous oxide.
Using nitrogen fertilizers in farming.
Explain on waste treatment on the release of nitrous oxide.
Burning waste in incinerators.
