Greenhouse Gases Flashcards
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases like carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour that act as an insulating layer in the earths atmosphere to keep the earth warm enough to support life
How do greenhouse gases work?
Do not absorb short wavelength radiation from the sun
Absorb long wavelength radiation from the sun and redirect it back towards the earth, which warms the surface of the earth
Human causes of changes in concentration of greenhouse gases
Deforestation
Burning fossil fuels
Agriculture
Creating waste
Consequences of climate change
Melting ice caps
Rising sea levels
Changes in rainfall patterns
Frequency and severity of storms
Changes in global temperature
What is carbon footprint
Measure of how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released over a full life cycle of something
Ways to reduce Carbon footprint
Renewable energy resources
Conserve energy
Government tax of emissions
Government caps on amount of emissions
Global agreements
Capture and store Carbon dioxide
Issues of particulates in the air
Get stuck in the lungs (respiratory problems)
Bad for the environment (global dimming)
Acid rain
