global warming overview

An Inconvenient Truth- Al Gore

Futurama and Global Warminghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J1ydwbO

320&feature=related

Start 1:13

Summarise what the Greenhouse Effect is:

Explain the relationship- correlation between Population Carbon Emissions World Temperature

Climate Change ConsequencesIncreased severity and duration of droughtsMore intense storms and wet periods- floodsIncreased frequency and intensity of

CyclonesMore intense and frequent bushfiresRising sea levels- Increased coastal erosion

and floodingChanged ecosystems and habitats =

extinction of plant and animal species

Top 5 Greenhouse Gases

Gas 

Formula 

Contribution(%)

Water Vapor H2O 36 – 72 %  

Carbon Dioxide CO2 9 – 26 %

Methane CH4 4 – 9 %  

Ozone O3 3 – 7 %

1. Water VaporYou would never think it, but water vapor tops the

list of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The earth continuously produces water vapor, which evaporates and then goes up to the atmosphere. Clouds, fog, and haze are all part of water vapor, with steam being the main fossil fuel combustion byproduct. Steam from water comprises up to 70 percent of the total greenhouse effect. Even worse is the vicious cycle of the warming effect currently happening, because higher temperatures actually create more water vapor, which then causes temperatures to rise yet again, and so on. So, instead of focusing just on your carbon footprint, you should also be thinking about your steam footprint!

Water vapor accounts for the largest percentage of the greenhouse effect, between 36% and 66% for clear sky conditions and between 66% and 85% when including clouds.[10] Water vapor concentrations fluctuate regionally, but human activity does not significantly affect water vapor concentrations except at local scales, such as near irrigated fields

2. Carbon DioxideThis greenhouse gas is another one of the

major greenhouse gases, but it is the second most prevalent in the atmosphere after water vapor. It is released when power plants process fossil fuels, and also from the breathing of humans and animals, and others. Although carbon dioxide is often considered the worst greenhouse gas, it is not actually true. However, since there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than any other greenhouse gases emitted by humans (only topped by water vapor), it does have the most obvious impact.

3. MethaneMethane is the next on our top 5 list of

greenhouse gases. This gas is probably the most damaging of all. When it comes to global warming, methane is 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. Methane is often trapped inside the earth and it is released by mining. It can also be released by animals such as cows because of flatulence. Other sources of methane also exist.

4. Nitrous OxideAnother one of the major greenhouse gases is nitrous oxide.

It is not usually used in combustion processes of fossil fuels or fossil fuel power plants. Instead, you can find nitrous oxide in medical locations or dental offices, and it is commonly referred to as “laughing gas”. However, it is not so funny when you realize how damaging this gas is to the earth and the environment.

This gas is released naturally from oceans and by bacteria in soils.  Nitrous oxide gas risen by more than 15% since 1750.   Each year we add 7-13 million tons into the atmosphere by using nitrogen based fertilizers, disposing of human and animal waste in sewage treatment plants, automobile exhaust, and other sources not yet identified.  It is important to reduce emissions because the nitrous oxide we release today will still be trapped in the atmosphere 100 years from now.

5. OzoneThis greenhouse gas comes with a double

threat. Firstly, ozone stays near the ground, which results in air pollution, smog, and lung problems for the inhabitants. Then it evaporates into a greenhouse gas, and traps heat near the earth, which contributes to global warming.

Human Induced Global Warming

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Per Captia

Carbon TaxPutting a Price on Carbon Emissions$20-$40 per tonne of carbon emissions

Positives and Negatives- Short-Term and Long- Term

Effect on:Climate ChangeAustralian EconomyAverage Citizen and FamilyFuture R&D (Research and Development) –

Technologies- Investments

Top-5 emitters for the year 2005

Country or region

 % of global totalannual emissions

Tonnes of GHGper capita

United Statesa 16 % 24.1

Indonesiac   6 % 12.9

European Union-27a 11 % 10.6

Chinab 17 %   5.8

India   5 %   2.1