CO2 and Climate Change

CO2 and the Greenhouse Effect CO2 is the primary greenhouse gas caused by human activities A greenhouse gas is a gas that absorbs infrared radiation and contributes to the greenhouse effect. The Greenhouse effect is when CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation from the sun. When the level of CO2 in the atmosphere increases, so does the level of infrared radiation. Infrared radiation increases the temperature of earth’s atmosphere.

What is Climate Change? Climate Change-also known as Global Warming-is an increase of the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere It is a result of an excessive amount of CO2 (and other greenhouse gases) causing an enhanced greenhouse effect Climate Change is natural, but human emissions have increased the effects of and sped up the process

Top Ways Humans Produce Excess Greenhouse gases In 2012, the US alone produced 5290 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the use of major fuels 39% of that is from electricity 34% of that is from transportation 27% of that is from residential, commercial and industry usage

Keeling Curve

Better Plants for Your Garden Woody, and long-living plants such as trees and bushes In general, the faster the plant grows (and keeps all that mass), the more CO2 it takes in –bamboo does this very well-

What Can You Do to Lower Your CO2 Footprint? Here, we ask the kids for answers, and write down what they say on the power point.

“If you look at it as a problem you’ll never get anywhere; you have to look at is as a big sweet opportunity!” –Robert J. Charlson, Atmospheric Sciences and Chemistry Ph.D., University of Washington

bibliography "How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint." How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. "Keeling Curve | Climate Central." Keeling Curve | Climate Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. "Facts About Trucks – Everything You Want To Know About Eighteen Wheelers." TruckersReportcom RSS. The Truckers Report.com, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.  "Scripps CO2 Program - Keeling Curve Lessons." Scripps CO2 Program - Keeling Curve Lessons. Scripps CO2 Program, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. "U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis." EIA's Energy in Brief: What Are Greenhouse Gases and How Much Are Emitted by the United States? US Energy Information Administration, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.