Key IdeaThe Earth’s climate today

appears to be changing as a result of human activity and future climates are uncertain

What’s the title of this map?Carbon emissions 2000

Carbon dioxide causes roughly 60% of the ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’ or global warming resulting from certain gases emitted by human activities. In 2000 there were almost 23 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted worldwide. Of this, 28% came from North American territories; 0.09% came from Central African territories. Emissions of carbon dioxide vary hugely between places, due to differences in lifestyle and ways of producing energy. Whilst people living in 66 territories emitted less than 1 tonne per person in 2000; more than 10 tonnes per person were emitted by people living in the highest polluting 21 territories that year.

What’s the title of this map?

"The emission of 1 tonne of methane into the atmosphere

has the same effect on the climate system over 100 years

as the emission of about 23 tonnes of carbon dioxide."

Dominic Ferretti, 2005

"The emission of 1 tonne of methane into the atmosphere

has the same effect on the climate system over 100 years

as the emission of about 23 tonnes of carbon dioxide."

Dominic Ferretti, 2005

Methane and Nitrous Oxide

The main agricultural contributions to greenhouse gases are methane and nitrous oxide. Methane is produced by animals and their manure. Nitrous oxide is emitted from soil, particularly when nitrogen fertilizers are used.

South America is the region with the highest carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of agricultural methane and nitrous oxide per person. The territory with the highest emissions per person is New Zealand.

Methane and Nitrous Oxide

Carbon Emissions 2000

Methane and Nitrous Oxide

Carbon Emissions 2000

1. Which countries/ continents have the highest methane and nitrous oxide emissions?

2. What are the reasons for this?

3. Which countries/ continents have the carbon emissions?

4. What are the reasons for this?

CARBON DIOXIDEBurning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), deforestation which releases carbon dioxide

METHANEGas pipeline leaks, farming rice in paddy fields, cattle farming

NITROUS OXIDEJet aircraft engines, cars and lorries, fertilisers and sewage farms

1800 1820 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2008

Carbon dioxide (parts per million) 280 282 283 287 291 295 299 310 323 347 386

Methane (parts per billion) 700 713 727 756 796 835 871 980 1430 1656 1940

Nitrous oxide (parts per million) 270 271 275 276 283 286 290 294 304 311 318

The growth of greenhouse gases over time

An estimate of the rise of the three main greenhouse gases

1. Draw a line graph for one of the gases above to show how they have changed over time.

2. Describe the pattern on your graph.3. Give reasons for the pattern.

Greenhouse gases and the activities that produce them

4.Exam-style question: Describe how human activities produce two different types of named greenhouse gases.

(4 marks)