Global Warming
- Created by: Caitlin G
- Created on: 24-03-15 20:09
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- Global Warming
- Greenhouse Effect
- Earth receives (most) energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun
- Solar Energy is absorbed and (some) is released back into the atmosphere as infrared raditon
- most of this goes back into space however certain gasses in the atmosphere absorb the infrared radition
- the energy absorbed by some of the gasses is re-emitted as energy
- this process effectively traps a lot of heat in the lower atmosphere
- the energy absorbed by some of the gasses is re-emitted as energy
- most of this goes back into space however certain gasses in the atmosphere absorb the infrared radition
- the process in which the absorption and subsequent emission of infrared radiation by atmospheric gasses warms the lower atmosphere and the planet;'s surface
- OCR textbook definition of global warming
- creates an equilibrium
- the surface of the Earth and atmospheric gasses absorb the energy at the same rate as it radiates energy
- which is why there is a steady temperature
- the surface of the Earth and atmospheric gasses absorb the energy at the same rate as it radiates energy
- Greenhouse Gasses
- occur naturally in the atmosphere
- most common greenhouse gasses: Water Vapour, CH4, CO2
- CO2 is produced via: volcanic erruptions, respiration of animals, burning or decay of organic matter
- methane is present in smaller quantities than CO2 but it makes a greater contribution to the greenhouse effect
- methane is: emitted during the production of coal, natural gas, oil; a product of rotting organic waste; released from certain animals as a by-product of digestion
- clathrates
- large quantities of methane trapped in ice-like structures below the cold northern seas
- contain 3,000 times as much methane as tin the atmosphere
- if released would have a huge impact on the greenhouse effect
- absorb infrared radiation causing the molecule to vibrate
- eventually the vibrating molecule re-emits some of it as energy in a form of radiation
- the radiation emitted can be absorbed by other greenhouse gasses or the Earth's surface
- eventually the vibrating molecule re-emits some of it as energy in a form of radiation
- Global Warming Potential (GWP
- the ability of a trace gas to cause global warming
- related to the lifetime of a gas in the atmosphere as well as the ability of the gas to absorb infrared radiation
- CFCs are 25,000 times more efficient at absorbing infrared radiation than CO2
- legislation banned large-scale use of CFCs so the effect of CFCs are diminishing
- Reducing emissions
- Kyoto Protocol
- committed countries to reduce their emissions of six greenhouse gasses by 5% by 2012
- USA (biggest emitter) refused to sign
- in 2006 25% (8 billion tonnes) of CO2 came from the USA
- USA (biggest emitter) refused to sign
- committed countries to reduce their emissions of six greenhouse gasses by 5% by 2012
- development of non-carbon fuels
- solar, wind, tidal, nuclear
- EU Strategies for the Future
- Targets
- 20& of energy used in the EU will come from renewable sources by 202
- 10% of fuels used in transport will be biofuels by 202
- EU greenhouse gas emission will be reduced to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020
- Targets
- Kyoto Protocol
- Climate Change
- Cause: the Earth's supply f coal, natural gas, and oil is being burnt for energy
- this releases billions of tonnes of CO2 into our atmosphere each year
- effects
- river overflow
- droughts
- failing crop yields
- storms and hurricanes are becoming more extreme
- sea ice is melting
- expand water in coeans
- sea levels rising
- sea ice is melting
- sea levels rising
- Climate Change Bill (2007)
- a framework to achieve a 60% cut in the UK's Carbon emission by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels)
- Reducing emissions
- Kyoto Protocol
- committed countries to reduce their emissions of six greenhouse gasses by 5% by 2012
- USA (biggest emitter) refused to sign
- in 2006 25% (8 billion tonnes) of CO2 came from the USA
- USA (biggest emitter) refused to sign
- committed countries to reduce their emissions of six greenhouse gasses by 5% by 2012
- development of non-carbon fuels
- solar, wind, tidal, nuclear
- EU Strategies for the Future
- Targets
- 20& of energy used in the EU will come from renewable sources by 202
- 10% of fuels used in transport will be biofuels by 202
- EU greenhouse gas emission will be reduced to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020
- Targets
- Kyoto Protocol
- Reducing emissions
- UK only Bill
- a framework to achieve a 60% cut in the UK's Carbon emission by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels)
- Cleaner Cars
- Eu agreement
- from 2012 cars must emit no more than 130g of CO2 per kilometer travelled
- from 2012 cars must emit no more than 130g of CO2 per kilometer travelled
- Eu agreement
- Cause: the Earth's supply f coal, natural gas, and oil is being burnt for energy
- Greenhouse Effect
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