Table of Contents
1. Understanding Greenhouse Gases #
Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat. They are essential for keeping our planet warm enough to live on, but too many greenhouse gases cause global warming.
What are Greenhouse Gases? #
- Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere
- Act like the glass in a greenhouse – let sunlight in but prevent heat from escaping
- Some occur naturally, but human activities have increased their amounts
- The main greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone
The Greenhouse Effect #
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms Earth’s surface. Here’s how it works:
- The sun’s energy reaches Earth as sunlight (shortwave radiation)
- Some of this energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and warms it
- The Earth’s surface releases heat back into the atmosphere (longwave radiation)
- Greenhouse gases trap some of this heat in the atmosphere
- This trapped heat keeps Earth warm enough to support life
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Human activities have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing more heat to be trapped than normal. This is causing global warming and climate change.
2. Global Warming #
What is Global Warming? #
- Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system due to human activities
- It refers specifically to the increase in average global temperature
- It is a major aspect of climate change
- Started with the Industrial Revolution (around 1750) when humans began burning more fossil fuels
- Global average temperature has increased by about 1.1°C since pre-industrial times
Effects of Global Warming #
- Rising sea levels: Due to melting ice and expanding ocean water
- Extreme weather events: More frequent and intense storms, floods, and droughts
- Changing ecosystems: Affecting plants, animals, and their habitats
- Ocean acidification: Making oceans more acidic, harming marine life
- Human impacts: Affecting agriculture, water resources, health, and livelihoods
3. Main Greenhouse Gases and Their Sources #
| Greenhouse Gas | Sources |
|---|---|
| Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) |
Natural sources:
|
| Methane (CH₄) |
Natural sources:
|
| Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) |
Natural sources:
|
| Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) |
Natural sources:
Note: Sulphur dioxide is not a direct greenhouse gas but can affect climate by forming aerosols that reflect sunlight (cooling effect) or by affecting cloud formation. |
4. Mitigating and Adapting to Greenhouse Gas Effects #
Mitigation Strategies for Greenhouse Gases #
- Energy: Switch to renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) instead of fossil fuels
- Transport: Use electric vehicles, public transport, cycling, and walking
- Agriculture: Improve farming methods to reduce methane and nitrous oxide
- Forests: Stop deforestation and plant more trees to absorb carbon dioxide
- Energy efficiency: Use less energy in homes, buildings, and industry
- Carbon capture: Develop technology to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or before it’s released
Adaptation Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Effects #
- Rising temperatures: Design cooler buildings, plant more trees in cities, improve early warning systems for heat waves
- Rising sea levels: Build sea walls, relocate coastal communities, restore coastal ecosystems
- Changing rainfall: Develop drought-resistant crops, improve water storage, build flood defenses
- Extreme weather: Strengthen buildings, improve emergency responses, create community shelters
- Health impacts: Prepare healthcare systems for new disease patterns
