AIM: What is Global Warming?

Do Now:

In your notes, discuss what you know about global warming.

What causes it? Can it be stopped?

I. Greenhouse Effect- causes the Earth to heat up by trapping insolation radiated from the sun and energy reradiated by the Earth.

• Insolation = incoming solar radiation(UV, infrared and visible light)

• Energy reradiated from Earth = infrared

- three major greenhouse gasses are carbon-dioxide (CO2), methane and

water vapor. - carbon dioxide is the best absorber of

infrared energy.

- Insolation can be:

– As greenhouse gases increase, temperature increases.

Source of methaneSource of co2 and water vapor

Greenhouse Gases: From Human Activity

DO NOTCOPY

Cars and factories

Cows, termites and decomposing garbage

A

AR

R

Space

A

A = Absorbed

R = Re-radiated

II. Causes of Global Warming (increase of greenhouse

gasses)A) The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, & gas) releases CO2 into the air.

B) The destruction of forests stops trees from absorbing up CO2 during photosynthesis.

C) The burning of wood releases more CO2 into the air. (forest fires)

D) Cattle, termites, & rice fields release large amounts of Methane into the air.

III. Effects of Global Warming:(effects from greenhouse

gasses)A) Shift in temp. and rainfall patterns.

B) Increased strength and number of major storms due to temperature

extremes.

C) Melting of polar ice caps and flooding of coastal areas.