The Greenhouse Effect A large majority of the insolation that is radiated back into the atmosphere gets absorbed by greenhouse gases. A large majority of the insolation that is radiated back into the atmosphere gets absorbed by greenhouse gases. These include carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane. These include carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane. Normally, this is a good thing, because it keeps our planet at a temperature suitable for human life. Normally, this is a good thing, because it keeps our planet at a temperature suitable for human life. The greenhouse effect is a GOOD thing, because without it, Earth’s temperature would be much too low. The greenhouse effect is a GOOD thing, because without it, Earth’s temperature would be much too low.

The Greenhouse Effect However, with an increase in the burning of wood and fossil fuels, there is now additional carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere. However, with an increase in the burning of wood and fossil fuels, there is now additional carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere. Because of this, the atmosphere is absorbing more heat energy than it should and thus increasing Earth’s average temperature. Because of this, the atmosphere is absorbing more heat energy than it should and thus increasing Earth’s average temperature. This is known as Global Warming. This is known as Global Warming. This is NOT a good thing because it could lead to the rise of sea level due to glaciers melting and a shift in Earth’s climatic zones. This is NOT a good thing because it could lead to the rise of sea level due to glaciers melting and a shift in Earth’s climatic zones.

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The Simpsons take on Global Warming Movie Clip The Simpsons take on Global Warming Movie Clip

Questions: Questions: 1. What are some examples of greenhouse gases? 2. Why / How is additional carbon dioxide being added to our atmosphere? 3. Why could the greenhouse effect be a bad thing?

Insolation (sun rays) hit the Earth as ultraviolet and visible light (short wavelength) and reradiates as infrared, (longer wavelength). The longer wavelength gets trapped by the Co 2 in our atmosphere. To much carbon dioxide = increased global temperatures

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