Section 3: Climate Change Flashcards
What are two key features that will define the start of the Anthropocene?
- There must be evidence of long term changes to the Earth as a global system (I.e. big changes occurring all over the planet at the same time)
- There must be a ‘marker’ of this event that can be identified and dated from digging down into rocks, ocean floor or glacial ice.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap the suns heat. This process makes sure the earth doesn’t get really cold.
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
The enhanced greenhouse effect is where extra greenhouse gases in our atmosphere trap too much if the sun’s energy. This causes a warming effect, it is called global warming.
What are the four major greenhouse gases?
- Carbon dioxide
- Flurogases
- Methane
- Nitrous oxides
What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide
75%
What is the greenhouse strength of carbon dioxide? (If carbon dioxide = 1)
1
What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions are from Fluoro-gases?
2%
What is the greenhouse strength of fluoro gases? ( if carbon dioxide = 1 )
Approx. 10,000
What percentage of greenhouse gases come from methane?
17%
What is the greenhouse strength of methane? ( if carbon dioxide = 1 )
30
What percentage of greenhouse gases come from nitrous oxide?
6%
What is the greenhouse strength of nitrous oxide? ( if carbon dioxide = 1 )
600
Where does carbon dioxide come from?
-burning fossil fuels to generate electricity for homes and businesses
-burning fossil fuels to power transport
-deforestation
Where do fluoro gases come from?
-man made gases used in aerosol cans and in refrigerators
Where does methane come from?
-agriculture (cattle and rice)
-melting permafrost