Greenhouse effect

Notes
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A natural process necessary for sustaining life on earth

Is produced by the suns energy and Earths atmosphere

Energy in the form of solar radiation is emitted toward earth.

26% is reflected, 19% absorbed, 55% reaches earths surface. 4% of that is reflected to space and the

How it works

remaining 51% is absorbed by earths surface and re-emitted as long wave infrared radiation.
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Greenhouse gases trap this radiation, warm the atmosphere and emits the heat back to earth where a
cycle begins.
Main Greenhouse gases

CO2 has had a 33% increase in concentration in last 200 years.

Comes from burning fossil fuels for industry, transportation, heat, cooking, and electricity generation.

Also released from deforestation

Greenhouse potential of 1

Methane has risen 151% since 1750.

Released by large herds of cattle, tapping into fossil fuel deposits, dumping organic matter into landfills,
and crops such as rice.

Humans are cause of half of methane released

Greenhouse potential of 23

Nitrous oxide has increased 17% since 1750.

By-product of feedlots, chemical manufacturing plants, auto emissions, soil fertilization, fossil-fuel
combustion, and deforestation.

Humans contribute to about 33% of all nitrous oxide released into the atmosphere

Production has doubled due to Haber process for Nitrogen fixation.

Greenhouse potential of 296.

Ozone serves a dual purpose. In lower stratosphere it keeps earth cooler by absorbing radiation before it
reaches earth. In troposphere it is building up due to humans and then trapping heat. It also causes
health problems.

It has decreased in stratosphere because of CFCs but increased 36% in troposphere since 1750.

Halocarbon gases are man made. They include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which deplete the ozone
layer. They also are the most efficient greenhouse gas, with a greenhouse potential of 12,000.

Emissions have almost stopped now due to the Montreal Protocol.

Montreal Protocol

Was called in 1987 because of health concerns and fears of global warming.

Signed by 180 nations, demanded CFC production dropped by 50%. Several amendments now have
dropped it to 95%.
Future of the climate

Scientists all agree earths climate is warming due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations. They do
not know how it will continue, however.

Some believe it will all work itself out.

World Health Organization says immediate and long term health benefits will come from reducing gas
emissions.

Reducing Greenhouse gases

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We can build more efficient machines. Automobiles are highly inefficient and transportation is second
highest contributor to gas emissions in U.S.

Planting trees. An average tree intakes 13 pounds of carbon and carbon dioxide a year and maintains it
for the life of the tree.
Vent

Researchers discovered that with every 1 degree Celsius that ocean temps. Rose, the ration of cirrus to
cumulus clouds dropped 22%.

Cirrus clouds do not block incoming radiation well but trap outgoing, warming earth. Therefore, a vent
may be achieved if temps rise and equilibrium will be maintained.

So the greenhouse effect is necessary for maintaining life on earth.

Our climate is changing and we do not know how it will continue.

Greenhouse gas concentrations are rising and need to be slowed as much as possible.

Estimates point to a 1-3 degrees Celsius rise in earths average temperature over the next century.