[Part 2]- C11- Chemistry of The Earth’s Atmosphere 🌋

• greenhouse gases in the atmosphere maintain temperatures on Earth, that are high enough to support life • this is because, otherwise the earth would be too cold for most living organisms to survive

• carbon dioxide • and, methane

• deforestation • and agriculture

• carbon dioxide is typically absorbed by growing trees; rainforests are now being destroyed because of deforestation. • this is because, forests are usually burned to provide land for grazing cattle • this means, large amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere [as trees take store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere]

• agriculture- methane is released by growing rice in flooded paddy fields • ; methane is also released, when cattle [e.g- cows] pass wind

• the temperature rises, as more of the energy from the sun is trapped

• increased melting of polar ice sheets could increase sea levels • more severe weather • the changed distribution of animals [e.g- insects] • the changed distribution of insect-borne diseases [e.g- malaria]

• rising temperatures will increase melting of the polar ice sheets and glaciers- which could increase sea levels • increased sea levels could lead to more flooding of low-lying areas

• climate change could lead to more severe weather [e.g- more storms in the UK]

• increasing temperatures due to global climate change, could change the distribution of animals [e.g- insects]

• global climate change could lead to increasing temperatures which changes the distribution of insect-borne diseases [e.g- malaria]

• based on peer-reviewed evidence, many scientists believe that human activities will cause the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere to increase at the surface, which will then result in global climate change

• peer-review allows scientists to detect false claims [e.g- based on poor evidence or bias]

• because it is difficult to model complex systems such as global climate change

• as it is difficult to model complex systems such as global climate change this can lead to: • simplified models • speculation and opinions presented in the media that may be biased • and, speculation or opinions in the media only based on parts of evidence

• scientists must work harder to communicate the ideas around global climate change to the general public

• scientists must work harder to communicate the ideas around global climate change to the general public

• we cannot predict with certainty, how much the temperature of the atmosphere will increase

• carbon footprint, is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases [e.g- methane] emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event

• a person’s carbon footprint can be reduced, by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane

• carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by, insulating homes or turning down the heating • this is because, energy is used to heat homes by usually burning fossil fuels

• use public transport [such as buses and trains] because, a great deal of carbon dioxide is released by driving cars • ; public transport, instead releases less carbon dioxide per passenger

• switch to renewable energy resources of electricity [e.g- wind power] because, most carbon dioxide is produced by generating electricity, which burns fossil fuels

• a person can reduce how much electricity they use at home [and switch to energy-saving light bulbs] • or a person could turn appliances off at plug, instead of leaving them on standby