Greenhouse effect

Our climate system (atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and living things) trap and store energy and distribute it around the world to keep the earth’s temperature relatively constant Our climate system (atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and living things) trap and store energy and distribute it around the world to keep the earth’s temperature relatively constant

Solar radiation in  absorbed and becomes… Solar radiation in  absorbed and becomes… THERMAL energy which causes the earth’s surface to warm up THERMAL energy which causes the earth’s surface to warm up The warm surface then emits infrared radiation The warm surface then emits infrared radiation

Greenhouse gases trap this heat and keep the earth’s surface much warmer than it would otherwise be (and than other planets) Greenhouse gases trap this heat and keep the earth’s surface much warmer than it would otherwise be (and than other planets) Without the greenhouse effect, the average global temperature would be.. Without the greenhouse effect, the average global temperature would be C -18 C

The earth’s current average global temperature is 15 C The earth’s current average global temperature is 15 C Because of the earth’s climate system and the greenhouse effect, our planet is habitable. This is a NATURALLY occurring phenomenon that has been happening for millions of year. Because of the earth’s climate system and the greenhouse effect, our planet is habitable. This is a NATURALLY occurring phenomenon that has been happening for millions of year.

Greenhouse gases Air is mostly composed of nitrogen and oxygen Air is mostly composed of nitrogen and oxygen Water vapour is the most significant greenhouse gas causing 2/3 of the greenhouse effect- varies from trace-4% Water vapour is the most significant greenhouse gas causing 2/3 of the greenhouse effect- varies from trace-4% Higher temp  more water vapour  higher temperatures Higher temp  more water vapour  higher temperatures Feedback loop- the effect affects the cause Feedback loop- the effect affects the cause

CO 2 causes ¼ of the greenhouse effect CO 2 causes ¼ of the greenhouse effect Before the industrial age concentration of CO 2 was 280ppm Before the industrial age concentration of CO 2 was 280ppm Today 385ppm (67% increase) Today 385ppm (67% increase) Natural sources of CO 2 are volcanic eruptions, burning of organic matter (forest fires), cellular respiration of plants & animals Natural sources of CO 2 are volcanic eruptions, burning of organic matter (forest fires), cellular respiration of plants & animals