Greenhouse gases/ global warming

Question 1

How is carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere?

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere naturally by green plants and algae during photosynthesis.
Other natural stores of carbon include bodies of water and peat bags.

Question 2

How is carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere?

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere naturally as the waste product of respiration.
However, many other unnatural processes, such as the burning of fossil fuels, also release carbon dioxide.

Question 3

What does the greenhouse effect describe?

Answer 3

The greenhouse effect describes how greenhouse gases (e.g. carbon dioxide and methane) act as a natural, insulating layer in the atmosphere, re-radiating most of the heat energy which has been reflected off the Earth’s surface back towards Earth.
The consensus among climate scientists is that the greenhouse effect is causing global warming.
As the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases rise, there is a risk that the greenhouse effect could become too strong and the temperature could rise too high.

Question 4

List the consequences of global warming:

Answer 4

• Migration patterns are likely to be altered
• Melting ice causes sea levels to rise, which could flood coastal habitats forever, losing land and associated biodiversity
• The rate at which the climate is changing makes rapid adaption key to avoiding extinction. This is particularly challenging for large-bodied animals that typically have longer generation times.
• Extreme weather conditions are happening more often.
• Increased acidification of the oceans is making it harder for corals to build their skeletons.
• Rising sea surface temperatures are causing bleaching of sensitive corals.