3.4 Human Activities and the Natural Greenhouse Effect

(p.230 – 241)

Natural Greenhouse Effect

• The anthropogenic greenhouse effect is a process in which human-produced greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere absorb heat energy from the Sun and Earth’s surface

• The anthropogenic greenhouse effect is linked to the start of the industrial revolution more than 300 years ago, and the practice of burning carbon-rich fuels like coal.

Methane Gas

• Methane, one of the most powerful greenhouse gases, is produced in large amounts by cattle when they burp or “pass gas.”

• We raise cattle for food, and Canada’s cattle produce 72% of our emissions of methane.

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• Methane(CH4)

• Nitrous Oxide(NO2)• Halocarbons

Greenhouse Gasses- 4 Types

Canadians

With less than 1% of the world’s population, Canada contributes about 2% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

How do Canadians contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?

Canadians Produce Greenhouse Gasses

(p234-235)

Starting Point Activity

Methane is produced naturally in the environment. But it also is produced by human activities such as raising cows for their milk and meat.

1. List 4 human activities that produce greenhouse gases .Share your ideas with a partner and then with the whole class.

2. How can we reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses from human activities?

Starting Point Answers1. Ex:

- driving vehicles (CO2)

- burning fuel in wood stoves and furnaces (CO2)

- growing food in greenhouses (water vapour, if greenhouse is not properly sealed)

- eating meat (methane).2. Ex:

- taking public transit- eating less meat- using solar or wind power instead of fossil fuels.

Now Do This…

• Greenhouse Gasses• use p.233 in your text book to complete

the table on your handout• Canada’s Role in Greenhouse Gas

Emissions • Use the words from p.234-235 in your

text book to complete the table on your handout

• (Note: these are in scrambled order)

Homework

Complete & Hand in– Case Study Investigation: Can Biofuel Solve

the Problem of Climate Change?– # 1 – 4 must be answered and handed in by

Mon. June 17 (will be marked)