Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change
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What happens to UV as it passes through the atmosphere?
UVC and UVB is absorbed by ozone, water vapour, oxygen and CO2 UVA passes through
What happens to infra-red as it passes through the atmosphere?
50% does not reach the surface absorbed by greenhouse gases in the troposphere 50% is absorbed
What happens to visible light as it passes through the atmosphere?
all of it reaches earth, except for a small amount that is reflected (e.g. by the clouds)
Greenhouse effect: Step 1
earth receives energy from sun in from of UV, visible light and infra-red
Greenhouse effect: Step 2
visible light is transmitted, infra-red is absorbed by GHGs, UVB and UVC is absorbed by atmosphere, UVA passes through except for small amount that is reflected
Greenhouse effect: Step 3
radiation that reach the earth’s surface is absorbed and re-emitted as infra-red radiation
Greenhouse effect: Step 4
greenhouse gases absorb this energy and emit some of it back towards earth
Greenhouse effect: Step 5
the earth warms due to the greenhouse gases re-emitting infrared radiation towards earth, this is essential for sustaining life
Define: Greenhouse effect
the warming of the atmosphere due to insulation by greenhouse gases
Define: Enhanced Greenhouse effect
the impact on the climate from the additional heat retained due to the increased amounts of carbon dioxide and other GHGs that humans have released into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution
Define: Anthropogenic
human cause
Anthropogenic Sources: CO2
agriculture power generation/ transportation = combustion of fossil fuels chemical production
Anthropogenic Sources: Methane
landfills agriculture oil and gas systems coal mining wastewater treatment
Anthropogenic Sources: Nitrogen Oxides
combustion of fossil fuels (cars) refining of petrol + metals commercial + food manufacturing
Anthropogenic Sources: Chlorofluorocarbons
air conditioning refrigeration insulation + packaging materials aerosols + solvents
Anthropogenic Sources: Tropospheric Ozone
product of photochemical reactions fossil fuel combustion agriculture
What is the most damaging per molecule greenhouse gas?
tropospheric ozone
Personal choices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions
public transport recycle solar panels/lighting adjust thermostat plant trees hybrid/electric cars
How much more damaging is methane compared to carbon dioxide?
25x
Why is so much effort being put in to reducing CO2 emissions?
a higher amount of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere than any of the other gases
How much more damaging are CFCs compared to methane?
224x
How can the UK reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
renewable energy initiatives change building regulations/planning policy increase fossil fuel taxes close landfill sites invest in public transport protect green spaces
Why are sea levels likely to rise if average global temperatures increase?
ice melts - volume of liquid increases - sea levels rise
What areas of the world are most at risk from flooding?
oceanic islands central america