Climatology 3_ Greenhouse effect.pptx.pdf

Climatology

1. Climatology
Global Warming

2. What is Global Warming?
●This is the increase in the overall temperature of the
Earth – resulting in an imbalance in the global energy
balance.
●Global warming occurs because of human activities
and results from:
●The Greenhouse Effect
●An increase in pollution
●The destruction of forests
●The burning of fossil fuels
●Changing surface characteristics
●Changing the amount of moisture in the atmosphere

3. What is the Greenhouse Effect?
●A greenhouse gas is one that will absorb heat and then
re-radiate back toward Earth, effectively increasing the
temperature of Earth.
●The two most prominent gases are: Carbon Dioxide
(CO
2
) and Water Vapour (H
2
O).
●These gases are needed so that the Earth can stay
warm and maintain an average temperature BUT
human activities have increased these gases and the
Earth is getting TOO warm!

4. How does this occur?
•A greenhouse is a
structure made of
fibreglass and clear glass.
•This allows sunlight IN
but controls the amount
let OUT.
•In essence; the sunlight
gets trapped and will heat
the inside of the structure
– increasing the
temperature so that plants
may be grown in cooler or
cold climates.

6. So, on Earth…
●Greenhouse gases absorb sunlight and
retain (keep in) the heat.
●The gases then slowly re-radiate this heat
back toward Earth and not into the
atmosphere and space.
●This means that the heat is trapped around
Earth and the Earth gets warmer.

7. Hmmm, not good!
•The Earth gets warmer,
the poles start melting
and areas close to the
sea flood.
•Plants cannot adapt
and die – means more
CO
2
since there is less
photosynthesis.
•More humans die from
heatstroke, flooding,
severe weather systems
and hunger.
•Increases in cancer.