Aim: How do increased carbon dioxide concentrations on our planet affect life?
Carbon Dioxide Greenhouse gas As it increases in concentration in the atmosphere, it increases the greenhouse effect Problem: Factories release too much CO 2 into the atmosphere, from the burning of fossil fuels
Greenhouse Effect Thermal infrared radiation from the sun is absorbed by greenhouse gases, such as CO 2 CO 2 traps heat or acts like a blanket, preventing infrared radiation from escaping into outer space Result: The Earth’s atmosphere is heated Greenhouse Effect Global Warming
Global Warming The temperature of the atmosphere & Earth (both land and water) increases global atmospheric change Cause: too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Effect: some living organisms cannot live (will die) at the higher temperature
Effects of Global Warming
Possible Solutions Less burning of fossil fuels Use alternative energy sources (nuclear, water, wind, solar) since they do not release CO 2