Global Warming Global Warming and the and the

Greenhouse Greenhouse EffectEffectThey aren’t as bad as you They aren’t as bad as you

think!think!

A. What is the greenhouse A. What is the greenhouse effect?effect?

1.1. The greenhouse effect is the trapping The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat from the sun by gases in our of heat from the sun by gases in our atmosphere.atmosphere.

2.2. Our atmosphere is like a blanket made Our atmosphere is like a blanket made of gases that surrounds our planet.of gases that surrounds our planet.

The gases that make up our atmosphere The gases that make up our atmosphere include water vapor, carbon dioxide (COinclude water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2 2

like you may use in your pellet gun), like you may use in your pellet gun), methane (gas produced by cows, bacteria, methane (gas produced by cows, bacteria, etc.), nitrous oxide (NOS or laughing gas), etc.), nitrous oxide (NOS or laughing gas), & a few other gases.& a few other gases.

Greenhouse effect Greenhouse effect continuedcontinued

The trapping of the sun’s heat by these The trapping of the sun’s heat by these gases is not bad!gases is not bad!

It is actually good, because w/out them It is actually good, because w/out them we would be an average of 60we would be an average of 60º colder º colder everyday.everyday. Can someone say BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!?Can someone say BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!?

These gases keep life on Earth These gases keep life on Earth comfortable & livable, much like a comfortable & livable, much like a greenhouse does for plants when greenhouse does for plants when temperatures outside are too cold for temperatures outside are too cold for the plants to live.the plants to live.

http://www.acmecompany.com/stock_thumbnails/13808.greenhouse_effect_2.jpg

http://www.allrefer.com/pictures/s4/p0001164-greenhouse-effect

Animation of the Animation of the Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/global_warming_version2.htmlhttp://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/global_warming_version2.html

http://www.combatclimatechange.ie/uploadedfiles/Climate_Change_Facts/greenhouse%20effect%20from%20safeclimate%20site.jpg

When the Greenhouse When the Greenhouse Effect Works Overtime…Effect Works Overtime…

1. Then you get GLOBAL WARMING.1. Then you get GLOBAL WARMING.

2. Global warming is a gradual 2. Global warming is a gradual increase in average temperatures increase in average temperatures around the globe—around the world.around the globe—around the world.

3. This happens because3. This happens because too many too many greenhouse gases are in the greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere trapping too much heat.atmosphere trapping too much heat.

What causes the increase in What causes the increase in greenhouse gases?greenhouse gases?

Simply put: YOU DOSimply put: YOU DO

People are the number one cause behind People are the number one cause behind the increase in greenhouse gases.the increase in greenhouse gases.

WE do this by burning more & more WE do this by burning more & more fossil fuels, refusing to recycle materialsfossil fuels, refusing to recycle materials—by just being wasteful & not thinking —by just being wasteful & not thinking about tomorrow.about tomorrow.

More heat? Who cares? More heat? Who cares? YOU SHOULD!!!YOU SHOULD!!!

More heat = increasing temperaturesMore heat = increasing temperatures

Increasing temperatures =Increasing temperatures = melting polar ice caps (our freshwater melting polar ice caps (our freshwater

reserves now are sliding into the ocean)reserves now are sliding into the ocean) stronger stormsstronger storms droughtdrought stronger hurricanesstronger hurricanes wildfireswildfires stronger winter blizzardsstronger winter blizzards And the list goes on and on…And the list goes on and on…

You can make a difference. You can You can make a difference. You can help combat global warming everyday. help combat global warming everyday.

Here’s how:Here’s how: Reduce, reuse, & recycleReduce, reuse, & recycle Turn off lights when you aren’t using themTurn off lights when you aren’t using them Turn off the water while you are brushing Turn off the water while you are brushing

your teethyour teeth Use renewable resources/recycled Use renewable resources/recycled

productsproducts Change out your regular light bulbs for Change out your regular light bulbs for

fluorescent onesfluorescent ones Carpool/ride the bus/public transportationCarpool/ride the bus/public transportation Walk don’t drive/ride in a car for short Walk don’t drive/ride in a car for short

tripstrips