Greenhouse effect Flashcards
What is the greenhouse effect
It is a natural phenomenon that warms the earth to allow organisms to live
The sun emits solar radiation, light and heat energy. Most of this radiation strikes the Earth and is reflected back into space
The heat is absorbed by clouds and greenhouse gases which prevent it from going back into space
What are the most common greenhouse gases
Carbon Dioxide
Water Vapour
Methane
What are the main causes of a buildup of greenhouse gases
Burning fossil Fuels
Deforestation
Accumulation of rubbish
Describe how burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gas into the atmosphere
Coal, oil and gas are burned and energy is released and carbon dioxide is released into the atmopshere
Describe how Deforestation releases greenhouse gas into the atmosphere
Deforestation is the removal of plants, especially trees
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and when there are less of them there will be an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a result.
When trees are burned they also release the carbon that was stored in their trunks and this combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide
Describe how the accumulation of rubbish releases greenhouse gas into the atmosphere
Rotting rubbish and livestock release methane gas into the atmosphere
Methane is a very powerful greenhouse gas
Why could global warming become a very big problem
It could create deserts, destroy forests and flood coastal cities.
It may even disrupt ocean currents and melt polar ice sheets
Many plants and animals could die out and many people could suffer
What is an ice core test
A sample of ice is taken from deep inside an ice sheet and this shows the proportions of gases in the atmosphere over 400 000 years
What are the effects of global warming
Climate Change - Weather conditions become more violent and unpredictable, certain diseases spread easier
Food Shortages - Due to the ice of the poles melting many animals that depend on the ice floes will starve
Rising Sea Levels - Many cities will flood and many people will lose their homes
