global warming

• carbon dioxide and methane trap energy from the sun
• the temperature of the earth is a balance between the energy it gets from the sun and the energy it radiates back out into space
• gases in the atmosphere act as an insulation layer, allowing radiation from the sun in but not back out
• greenhouse gases are those that absorb heat and prevent it escaping
• global warming causes sea levels to rise due to melting ice caps and glaciers
• global warming occurs when there's more greenhouse gas than usual in the atmosphere
• sea level rises cause flooding on low lying land
• rising temperatures can lead to more frequent droughts which affect agriculture
• more frequent storms occur with rising temperatures
• global warming increases the frequency and severity of storms
• global warming can cause droughts because water evaporates faster
• global warming leads to coral bleaching which kills off corals
• rising temperatures can lead to droughts which affect agriculture
• increased rainfall leads to increased risk of floods
• coral reefs die off if water temperature increases by just 1 degree celsius
• global warming has big impacts on many aspects of the environment, including: sea levels rising ; changes in species distribution ; changes in migration patterns and reduction in biodiversity