Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Greenhouses Gases Greenhouse Gases absorb heat in our atmosphere. Examples include… Greenhouse Gases absorb heat in our atmosphere. Examples include… Water Vapor Water Vapor Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide Methane Methane Nitrogen Dioxide Nitrogen Dioxide

Earth’s Atmosphere and Greenhouse Effect… A Good Thing! 77% N 2, 21% O 2, 1% Ar, + trace gases (CO 2, CH 4, H 2 O) Absorbs incoming solar radiation and warms the planet. Without our atmosphere, the average Earth temperatures would be a cool -17°C!! Greenhouse effect gives +32°C warming and allows for liquid H 2 O to exist on the planet

Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming The “greenhouse effect” & global warming are not the same thing. –Global warming refers to a rise in the temperature of the surface of the earth An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases leads to an increase in the magnitude/intensity of the greenhouse effect. –This results in global warming

Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Effect

The science of global warming is too uncertain to act on. The science of global warming is too uncertain to act on.Myth!! FACT: There is no debate among scientists about the basic facts of global warming. FACT: There is no debate among scientists about the basic facts of global warming. The only debate about global warming is about how much and how fast warming will continue as a result of heat-trapping emissions.

Global warming and extra CO2 will be beneficial — they reduce cold-related deaths and stimulate crop growth. Global warming and extra CO2 will be beneficial — they reduce cold-related deaths and stimulate crop growth.Myth!! FACT: Any beneficial effects will be far outweighed by damage and disruption. FACT: Any beneficial effects will be far outweighed by damage and disruption.

While different pockets of the country have experienced some cold winters here and there, the overall trend is warmer winters. While different pockets of the country have experienced some cold winters here and there, the overall trend is warmer winters.Fact!!

Global warming is just part of a natural cycle. The Arctic has warmed up in the past. Global warming is just part of a natural cycle. The Arctic has warmed up in the past.Myth!! FACT: The global warming we are experiencing is not natural. People are causing it. FACT: The global warming we are experiencing is not natural. People are causing it. Natural amounts of CO2 have varied from 180 to 300 parts per million, today’s CO2 levels are around 380 parts per million. That’s 25% more than the highest natural levels over the past 650,000 yrs.

We can adapt to climate change — civilization has survived droughts and temperature shifts before. We can adapt to climate change — civilization has survived droughts and temperature shifts before.Myth!! FACT: Although humans as a whole have survived the drought, stretches of warmth and cold and more, entire societies have collapsed from dramatic climatic shifts. FACT: Although humans as a whole have survived the drought, stretches of warmth and cold and more, entire societies have collapsed from dramatic climatic shifts. Even if people find a way to adapt, the wildlife and plants on which we depend may be unable to adapt to rapid climate change.

Accurate weather predictions a few days in advance are hard to come by. Accurate weather predictions a few days in advance are hard to come by.FACT!! Why on earth should we have confidence in climate projections decades from now? Climate prediction is fundamentally different from weather prediction, just as climate is different from weather. Why on earth should we have confidence in climate projections decades from now? Climate prediction is fundamentally different from weather prediction, just as climate is different from weather.

As the ozone hole shrinks, global warming will no longer be a problem. As the ozone hole shrinks, global warming will no longer be a problem.Myth!! FACT: Global warming and the ozone hole are two different problems. FACT: Global warming and the ozone hole are two different problems.

The Greenhouse Effect

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