With increasing carbon dioxide emissions from humans, the greenhouse effect has become drastically exaggerated. This exaggerated effect is causing global warming and is threatening our planet by melting polar ice caps and raising the sea level.
The greenhouse effect is extremely important. Without it, the Earth would not be warm enough for life to exist but humans are increasing the strength of this effect by releasing too many emissions into the atmosphere. Recent figures have proven that the Earth’s average temperature has increased and this shows that Global warming is linked to the greenhouse effect.
- Name two ‘greenhouse’ gases.
Two ‘greenhouse’ gases are methane and carbon dioxide.
- Describe and explain the human activity that produces each of your chosen gases.
The four main ‘greenhouse gases’ are water vapour, carbon dioxide, Methane and Nitrous oxide. I have chosen to explain how methane and carbon dioxide are produced as they are the most lethal ‘greenhouse gases’ that are emitted by human activity.
Carbon dioxide is released by human activity. The combustion of fossil fuels and wood produces carbon dioxide. For example, cars run on petrol which is made from oil which is a fossil fuel. The car‘s engine burns the petrol to make it run, producing carbon dioxide in the process. Industrial activities also produce lots of carbon dioxide mainly due to factories and power stations. Deforestation also produces carbon dioxide as people are clearing forests for agriculture and fuel. And by destroying forests we are lowering the amount of oxygen in our atmosphere and raising the amounts of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Biomass burning also relates to this as it is the burning of living and dead vegetations.
Living organisms produce carbon dioxide as part of the natural process of obtaining energy. Burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy, as at this power plant, produces carbon dioxide as a by-product of combustion which is then emitted into the atmosphere.
Methane is produced by human activity. Landfills are the largest man- made source of methane due to the decomposition of organic wastes in a low oxygen environment. Methane is also a primary component of natural gas and methane is released into the atmosphere during the production process, storage, and distribution of natural gas. Methane is also stored in coal deposits and is released into the atmosphere during mining operations. Methane is very important in absorbing radiation in the atmosphere but too much of it in the atmosphere can cause an increase in Global temperatures because methane is a powerful warming agent. There will never be a large concentration of methane in the atmosphere because it is short- lived, lasting only 10- 12 years.
Extra Information
Water vapour actually causes about 36- 70% of the greenhouse effect on Earth. Human activity has limited impact on the concentration of water vapour but still has an indirect effect. Scientists have shown that the increasing warming of the atmosphere is affecting the concentration of water vapour. This is because when the air is warm; it is relatively quite humid meaning there is more water vapour is the air.
The most important ‘greenhouse gases’ in order of % quantity in the atmosphere
Water vapour : 36- 70%
Carbon dioxide : 9- 26%
Methane : 4- 9%
Ozone : 3- 7%
- Using map 1 and the two graphs describe the evidence that suggests that ‘global warming’ is taking place.
Map 1, Graph 1 and Graph 2 all show that ‘global warming’ is taking place. Map 1 shows the Greenland ice sheet in two different periods of time. The dark areas on the ice sheet show the areas where the ice had melted. The first photo was taken in 1992 and the second was taken in 2002. There is a clear difference in the amount of ice melted between the two photos. In 1992, there was only a small amount of melted ice towards the southern area whereas in 2002, ice had melted all around Greenland. The map clearly shows the evidence that ‘global warming’ is causing the ice to melt. Global Warming is the average increase in the world’s temperature. Scientists have recorded and analysed temperatures around the globe and have discovered that the temperature is increasing at a higher rate for Greenland, the Arctic and Antarctica. Ice is now being lost from the islands at a rate of 5 cubic miles a year and it is causing global sea levels to rise 0.02 inches a year. If all the ice in Greenland were to melt, scientists have estimated that global sea levels would rise by 23 ft. 23 ft is a huge figure for global sea levels to rise and will cause devastating effects to various parts of the world. This map definitely shows that Global Warming is taking place.
Graph 1 shows the Global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide from 1870 to 2000. The concentration of carbon dioxide increased a vey small amount from 1870 to 1930 but from 1930 onwards the concentration of carbon dioxide increased quite rapidly. Carbon dioxide is a ‘greenhouse’ gas and is one of the ‘greenhouse gases’ that causes the greenhouse effect. The graph shows that over the last 40 years the concentration of carbon dioxide increased a huge amount. This is because human activity has been emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions from burning oil and other fuels. With a large concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the ‘greenhouse effect’ has been exaggerated causing ‘global warming’. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is always increasing because it is released by a natural process as well.
Graph 2 shows the annual average in temperature anomaly in Global temperatures. From 1860 to 1930, there was neither an increase nor a decrease. Unusually in 1930, the anomaly increased to 0 degrees Celsius and from 1930 to 2000, the anomaly gradually increased. In 2000, the temperature anomaly was at 0.4 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees more than it was in 1860. This graph provides the evidence that ‘global warming’ is increasing our Global temperature.
Map1, Graph 1 and Graph 2 are connected. Humans are emitting more and more emissions into the atmosphere. This is increasing the Global temperature atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and as carbon dioxide is a ‘greenhouse gas’, more and more of the sun’s energy is being absorbed, causing the Earth’s average surface temperature to increase. As Global temperatures are increasing, the polar ice caps in the north are melting which is causing climate change. This also shows that ‘global warming’ is taking place.
- Use map 2 and the cartoons 1 and 2 to describe one effect of climate change and explain what impact it might have on people in the UK
Map 2 is showing the British Isles. The dark areas are indicating the low- lying areas in Britain. These dark areas can potentially become flooded. Cartoon 1 and 2 are indicating that ‘global warming’ is happening by showing that ice is melting. One effect of climate change that can affect people in the UK is flooding.
As the Earth’s temperature increases, climates will change and the polar ice caps in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere will melt. This will result in an increase in the sea level, flooding low- lying areas in Britain. These low- lying areas lie in the south-eastern part in Britain. South- east Britain is a very important area because of trade, business and tourism. If these areas are flooded then the whole country could be affected. These areas include London, which is the capital of the UK.
This is a map of the UK after a sea level rise of 84 metres (275 feet). This is what would be left of the UK if all of the world's ice melted.
7. Name and describe one international attempt at reducing global warming
One way of reducing global warming is the use of renewable energy such as wind power. Most forms of renewable energy don’t emit any amounts of ‘greenhouse gases’. In some countries, government action has boosted the development of renewable energy- for example, a program to put solar panels on the roofs of a million homes in Japan. 80% of newly built homes in Japan will be equipped with solar power systems by 2030. The cost of a standard solar panel system is just under $20,000. Japan plans to provide a subsidy of $2,000 to households that buy a solar power system to promote its use and help reduce ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions. The subsidy represents 10% of the actual cost of the system.
8. Describe and explain three ways in which you could reduce your personal or household carbon footprint
To reduce your carbon footprint and to reduce your contribution to global warming you need to:
- Turn off appliances when not in use (E.g. lights, TV, DVD player, computer). The appliances in your household all contribute to your carbon footprint and some contribute more than others. Appliances burn energy.
- 35% of heat generated in house is lost through the walls. Installing cavity wall installation to a medium size house can reduce heat loss by up to 60%. Installing cavity wall installation could reduce your heating bills by up to £100 a year.
- By installing 180mm thick loft installation, you could stop about 25% of heat escaping through the roof. Loft installation is one of the most efficient ways of reducing your household carbon footprint. It is also easy to install.
