1. Human Activity & Climate Change

2. The ANTHROPOGENIC GREENHOUSE EFFECT The anthropogenic greenhouse effectThe anthropogenic greenhouse effect is the enhancement of the Earth’s natural greenhouse effect due to human activities. Anthro = Human The main cause of climate change is the increased amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Common greenhouse gases produced by humans are: Carbon dioxide – CO 2 Methane – CH 4 Nitrous oxide – N 2 O

3. GREENHOUSE GASES A greenhouse gas is a gas that has the ability to trap heat at or near the surface of the Earth.A greenhouse gas is a gas that has the ability to trap heat at or near the surface of the Earth. Greenhouse gases can be made naturally and the Earth is able to deal with the amount of heat they trap, but, human activity has greatly increased the amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere. This, in turn, greatly increases the heat-trapping ability of the planet.Greenhouse gases can be made naturally and the Earth is able to deal with the amount of heat they trap, but, human activity has greatly increased the amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere. This, in turn, greatly increases the heat-trapping ability of the planet.

4. GREENHOUSE GASES Greenhouse gases have a value called the global warming potential which measures the ability of a gas to trap thermal energy in the air over a specific time.Greenhouse gases have a value called the global warming potential which measures the ability of a gas to trap thermal energy in the air over a specific time. A persistence value is also given for each gas. Persistence measures the length of time the gas remains in the atmosphere.A persistence value is also given for each gas. Persistence measures the length of time the gas remains in the atmosphere. Gas Global Warming Potential over 100 years Persistence(Years) Carbon Dioxide 1- Methane2512 Nitrous Oxide 298114

5. Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Over the last few hundred years, there has been a tremendous increase in all three greenhouse gases.Over the last few hundred years, there has been a tremendous increase in all three greenhouse gases. This trend mirrors the growth of the human population.This trend mirrors the growth of the human population. More People = More GasesMore People = More Gases

6. Sources of Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse Gas Sources Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) Cement makingCement making DeforestationDeforestation Methane (CH 4 ) Coal miningCoal mining Production of Petroleum ProductsProduction of Petroleum Products Natural Gas LeaksNatural Gas Leaks Landfills, cattle farming.Landfills, cattle farming. Nitrous Oxide (N 2 O) Burning fossil fuelsBurning fossil fuels FertilzersFertilzers

7. Human Activity & Greenhouse Gases Humans contribute more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than any other species by far!Humans contribute more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than any other species by far! What do we do that puts so much greenhouse gas into the air?What do we do that puts so much greenhouse gas into the air? Transportation – 22%Transportation – 22% Fossil Fuel Industry – 20%Fossil Fuel Industry – 20% Mining and Industry – 18%Mining and Industry – 18% Electricity & Heat Generation – 17%Electricity & Heat Generation – 17% Residential – 11%Residential – 11% Agricultural – 7%Agricultural – 7% Waste – 4%Waste – 4% Other – 1%Other – 1%

8. The Big Picture More people means more energy needed.More people means more energy needed. More energy needed means more CO 2 produced.More energy needed means more CO 2 produced. More CO 2 means more greenhouse gas and higher temperatures.More CO 2 means more greenhouse gas and higher temperatures.

9. THE END