Global warming

• CO2 + H2O is produced when fossil fuels are burnt
• Increasing CO₂ correlates with the burning of fossil fuels
• Greenhouse gases absorb long wavelength radiation
• Carbon dioxide is the chemical name for CO₂ and Water vapour is the chemical name for H2O
• The greenhouse effect is a natural process that maintains the Earth's temperature
• Greenhouse gases allow short wavelength UV radiation to pass through the atmosphere
• The Earth's surface cools down by emitting infrared radiation (long wavelength)
• Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, heating up the atmosphere
• Human activity is causing the emissions of increasing levels of greenhouse gases, leading to global warming
• Sources of Greenhouse gases:

  • Rice fields release more CH₂ and CH4
  • Grazing cattle release CH4
  • Cutting down tropical rainforests reduces CO₂ absorption through photosynthesis
  • Rotting landfill waste releases more CH4
  • Burning fossil fuels releases more CO₂ into the atmosphere
• Effects of Global warming:

  • Polar ice caps melting
  • Severe droughts
  • Extreme flooding
  • Extreme weather conditions
  • Animals lose their habitats and become extinct