Global Warming

Global warming, a recent warming of the Earth's lower atmosphere, is believed to be the result of an enhanced greenhouse effect due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Global Warming In addition to the Earth, Mars and Venus have greenhouse effects. The greenhouse effect is only one of many factors which affect the temperature of the Earth.

Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse gases are gases which effectively absorb thermal infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, trapping heat within the lower atmosphere.

The Greenhouse Effect This trapping of heat is called the greenhouse effect because it is analogous to the way actual greenhouses, using different mechanisms, hold heat by preventing convection and conduction from equalizing inside and outside temperatures.

Can be good – If there were no greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average surface temperature of 14 °C (57 °F) would be about - 18 °C (–0.4 °F). Thus greenhouse gases are essential to maintaining the temperature of the Earth. Without them the planet would be so cold as to be uninhabitable. The Greenhouse Effect

An excess of greenhouse gases can raise the temperature of a planet to lethal levels, as on Venus, where the 90 bar partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) contributes to a surface temperature of about 467 °C (872 °F). The Greenhouse Effect Can be bad –

On earth, the most abundant greenhouse gases are, in order of relative abundance: water vapor carbon dioxide methane nitrous oxide ozone CFCs The major atmospheric constituents nitrogen (N 2 ) oxygen (O 2 ) are not greenhouse gases..

Global anthropogenic Carbon emissions 1751–2004.Carbon Created from data on the US Dept. of Energy web page US Dept. of Energy web page

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As works of the U.S. federal government, all NOAA images are in the public domain.

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How Can I Help? Start by Measuring Your Carbon Footprint.

What is a Carbon Footprint? The amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases an individual creates through the way they live and the things they buy and use. It is measured in tons per year !!

For Example We LOVE our cars But for every mile it travels, the average car in the U.S. emits about one pound of carbon dioxide. Given typical driving distances and fuel economy numbers, that translates into about five tons of CO 2 per car per year.

How Can I Measure My Carbon Footprint? Go to the Earth Lab Web site earthlab.com

HOW CAN I LOWER THESE? My Carbon Footprint Scores Costa Rica U.S.

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So What Are We Waiting For? Let’s get started !