Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change

• What is the greenhouse effect?

  Absorption and re-radiation of long wavelength radiation
• Which gases are considered greenhouse gases?

  Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour
• How do greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature?

  They absorb and re-radiate long wavelength radiation
• What happens to short wavelength radiation in the atmosphere?

  It is not absorbed by the atmosphere
• What human activity reduces carbon dioxide removal?

  Deforestation
• What is a major consequence of burning fossil fuels?

  It releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• What do farm animals produce that contributes to climate change?

  Methane
• What does the decomposition of landfill and agricultural waste release?

  Carbon dioxide and methane
• What do most reviewed scientists think about climate change?

  It leads to an increase in Earth's average temperature
• Why is global climate change difficult to model?

  It is complex and leads to oversimplified models
• What are four possible consequences of climate change?

  • Flooding and erosion in coastal areas
  • Difficulty producing food due to changing patterns
  • More frequent and severe storms
  • Changes in distribution of wild species