Global Warming Anthony Levy Grades 9-12

What is Global Warming Global warming is the warming of the earth through carbon dioxide (CO2) being pumped into the atmosphere from various sources including cars and smokestacks.

Sources of Carbon Dioxide Over the past few centuries, people have been burning more amounts of fuels such as wood, coal, oil, natural gas and gasoline. The gases formed by the burning, such as carbon dioxide, are building up in the atmosphere. The result some experts believe is the Earth heating up and undergoing global warming.

What is the Greenhouse Effect The CO2 gases trap heat like the glass in a greenhouse. This is where the term “greenhouse effect” came from. Major Greenhouse Gases Carbon dioxide (CO2 --53%) Carbon dioxide (CO2 --53%) Methane (CH4 --17%) Methane (CH4 --17%) Nitrous Oxide (N2O --5%) Nitrous Oxide (N2O --5%) Ground-level Ozone (O %) Ground-level Ozone (O %) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs -- 12%) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs -- 12%) Water Vapor (H2O) Water Vapor (H2O)

Effects of Global Warming Trapped heat Trapped heat Climate change Climate change Water cycle speeds up Water cycle speeds up Glacial melt Glacial melt Ocean water expansion Ocean water expansion Extreme weather events Extreme weather events Drastic change in Precipitation Drastic change in Precipitation Increase in global temperature Increase in global temperature

What’s Happening Scientists say that the barrier insulating the ice caps is melting. As the ice melts, big chunks of glaciers will break off. The ice chunks, known as icebergs, create mass in the ocean. The icebergs move the water causing the ocean level to rise. Some of the shoreline in many places will go under water.

Larsen B ice shelf and Antarctic Peninsula

What Will Happen Rising global temperatures may affect local climate conditions. Changing regional climate conditions will alter forests, food, and water supplies. It could also affect human health, animals, and many types of ecosystems. Deserts may expand into existing rangelands.

Ways to Decrease Global Warming Conservation Conservation –Reduce energy needs –Recycling Alternate energy sources Alternate energy sources –Nuclear –Wind –Geothermal –Hydroelectric –Solar –Fusion

Changes people can make to reduce CO2 Output Drive Less: 15 miles less per week of driving (bike, carpool, walk) eliminates 900 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Drive Less: 15 miles less per week of driving (bike, carpool, walk) eliminates 900 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Clean engine oil and properly inflated tires eliminates 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Clean engine oil and properly inflated tires eliminates 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. A hybrid or electric car eliminates 5600 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. A hybrid or electric car eliminates 5600 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Replace three incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs in your home and eliminate 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Replace three incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs in your home and eliminate 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Recycling half of the aluminum, glass, plastic, and paper that you use reduces 2400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Recycling half of the aluminum, glass, plastic, and paper that you use reduces 2400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Turn your heater down and your air conditioner up by 3 degrees and save 1050 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Turn your heater down and your air conditioner up by 3 degrees and save 1050 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

References

Which is not a source of Carbon Dioxide? Wood Wood Coal Coal Wind Wind Gasoline Gasoline A B C D

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