FORM 5: GLOBAL WARMING

CAUSES

Greenhouse gases sources.

GAS SOURCES
Carbon dioxide Respiratory systems
Burning of fossil fuels
Vehicle emissions
Electricity generation
Industrial activities
Landfills
Deforestation
Volcanic eruptions

Chlorofluorocarbons Aerosol spray can

Plastics (fast food packaging)
Insulation
Cleaning solvents in industries
Gases in refrigerators and air conditioners
Fire extinguishers

Methane Natural fermentation

Bacterial decomposition of organic matter
Swamps
Land fills
Intestines of livestock
Manure
Burning of vegetation
Coal mining
Burning of fossil fuel.

Nitrous Oxide Bacterial reactions in soil

Bacteria in sea water
Breakdown of nitrogen based fertilizer chemicals
Burning of fossil fuel and wood
Manufacturing of synthetic chemicals eg. Nylon

Water Vapour Increase in surface temperature causes more heating in the air. A rise
in temperature causes increased evaporation and more water vapour
in the atmosphere.
CAUSES OFGLOBAL WARMING

1. Industrialization: A modernization process where development is related with technological

innovation. With this increase in technology and continued development, more fossil fuels are being
burnt. The increase in the number of factories and processing plants add to pollutants (greenhouse
gases) in the atmosphere.

2. Urbanization: The development of town and cities leads to an increasing proportion of the population
living in these areas. With urbanization, there is an increase in houses, more landfills, the need for more
manufacturing industries to provide employment and more goods. More electricity is generated.
Increase in fossil fuels being burnt. With urbanization, urban air temperatures rise compared to the
country areas.

3. Deforestation: Due to industrialization and urbanization, millions of forest trees are cut down every
year to facilitate construction of buildings, infrastructure and transport developments. This increases the
amount of carbon dioxide in the air.

4. Burning of fossil fuels: Coal, oil and natural gas are the three main forms that are widely used. Burning
of fossil fuel releases carbon dioxide in the air. Combustion of fossil fuel also releases gases like carbon
monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

5. Increase in the number of landfills: which release methane, a greenhouse gas produced from the
decomposition of organic matter. Methane is 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide and is able
to trap more heat. Increase in the number of landfills is due to increase in domestic waste and reduced
recycling etc.

6. Agriculture: According to IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) agriculture contributes

to 12% of global greenhouse emissions. The use of pesticides, fertilizers and insecticides together with
plant and animal waste. These sources emit methane, carbon dioxide etc.

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