The Greenhouse Effect Integrated Science

What is it? Works the same way as a plant’s greenhouse. The trapping of heat from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere. Can happen on any planet that has an atmosphere.

What does it cause? It causes an increase in the surface temperature on earth. ▫Global Warming  First detected in the 1800’s Current average temperature is much higher than the temperature was many years ago ▫Even higher than they predicted it would be when global warming was discovered!

What increases the greenhouse effect? Our atmosphere has gases called greenhouse gases. ▫Greenhouse gases that prevent heat from escaping our atmosphere. We need some greenhouse gases to keep the earth warm, but too many causes the earth to overheat…global warming

Greenhouse Gases Examples ▫Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, CFC’s, and Nitrous Oxide Sources ▫Greenhouse gases come from…  Transportation  Power Plants  Industry/Factories Greenhouse gas emissions have increased over the last 100 years.

How to stop global warming… Use Less Gas ▫Drive Less  Carpool, bike, or walk ▫Buy a fuel efficient car Reduce electricity use ▫Lightbulbs  Use fluorescent ▫Use the air conditioner less ▫Buy appliances that use electricity more efficiently

Did you know… Other objects in space have the greenhouse effect ▫Mars ▫Venus ▫Titan (moon) ▫Pluto