global warming

Question 1

describe the stages of global warming

Answer 1

1. solar radiation reaches earth’s atmosphere and some is reflected back into space
2. the rest is absorbed by the land and oceans, heating the earth
3. heat radiates from earth to space
4. some of this heat is trapped by greenhouse gases, keeping earth warm enough to sustain life
5. human activities are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases released into atmosphere
6. this traps extra heat, increasing earth’s temperature

Question 2

what is the temperature of the earth a balance between?

Answer 2

the energy it gets from the sun and the energy it radiates back into space

Question 3

why is the earth gradually heating up?

Answer 3

the increasing levels of greenhouse gases

Question 4

what do greenhouse gases do?

Answer 4

keep the sun’s energy in

Question 5

which greenhouse gases are rapidly increasing?

Answer 5

carbon dioxide and methane

Question 6

describe what gases in the atmosphere do?

Answer 6

absorb most of the energy that would normally be radiated out into space and re-radiate in different directions

Question 7

what do gases in the atmosphere act like?

Answer 7

an insulating layer

Question 8

why are the carbon dioxide levels increasing?

Answer 8

deforestation, burning fuels, respiration, volcanoes

Question 9

why are the methane levels increasing?

Answer 9

intensive cattle farming, landfill waste, volcanoes, wetlands

Question 10

list 4 consequences of global warming

Answer 10

-sea levels rising (due to ice caps melting) leading to flooding, resulting in the loss of habitats
-changes in species distribution
-changes in migration patterns
-reduction in biodiversity