Causes And Effects Of Global Warming

IB SL

Global Warming
First emerged as a cause of global concern in the 1980's, a result of the apparent rise in global temperatures, believed to be due to human activities, such as burning of fossil fuels and destruction of forests. There is debate as to whether global warming exists, as it could merely be another example of changes in temperature the world has seen over millions of years. It is important to distinguish global warming from the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon, without which human life would not exist on the earth.

Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Gases And Radiation

Many greenhouses gases exist naturally, and it is human actions that are increasing their concentrations within the lower atmosphere. It is believed that as the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases, the amount of long-wave (infrared) radiation in the lower atmosphere also increases, thus raising temperatures.

Causes Of Global Warming

Gas: Source: Use: Way It Increases Global Warming: Water vapour and clouds are Oceans, lakes, rivers, Absorbs limited responsible for reservoirs. Humans have outgoing radiation. nearly 98% of the little impact upon levels. natural greenhouse effect.

Water Vapour

Burning of fossil fuels, and forests, breathing Absorption of long Carbon Dioxide animals, less produced wave radiation. by southern hemisphere (less land). Much from break down of organic matter by Methane (CH4) bacteria (rice paddy fields) cows, swamps marshes.

Approximately 50%.

As above.

Approximately 18%.

Causes Of Global Warming

Gas: Source: Naturally from some oxygen atoms. Ozone in the troposphere is due to chemical reactions between sunlight and agents of pollution. Use: Way It Increases Global Warming:

Ozone

Filters short wave UV radiation.

Difficult to estimate.

CFCs

Fridges and aerosols.

25%, but increasing due to ability to survive within the atmosphere for 100 years. Absorption of long wave radiation. Approximately 6%.

Nitrate fertilisers, Nitrous Oxide transport and power stations (combustion).

Positive And Negative Effects

Impact on: Effect: Malaria and cholera increase, due to temperature increase. Consequence (-): More money needed to fight disease, strain on medical services, rise in death rate. Spread of pests and disease, alteration in crop yields, may increase food shortages. Canadian Prairies could become major wheat growing belt. Areas able to grow different crops, for example, citrus fruits in the UK. Unknown at present. Consequence (+): Health

Vegetation

Shifting flora and fauna to different areas. Extinction of some species.

Weather

More extreme climates in inland locations. More frequent and devastating hurricanes. Sea temperatures increase, sea levels rise, shift in ocean currents.

Unknown at present. Changes in number of fish stocks and their location will impact the fish industry.

Ocean

Increase in fish stocks in certain areas.

Positive And Negative Effects

Impact on: Effect: Consequence (-): Consequence (+): Landscape Reduced snow cover in some areas. Glaciers melt in Antarctica. Rise in sea levels.

Extended summer season in some landscapes due to higher temperatures, increasing revenue.
Increased awareness of water conservation measures, less water wastage. Forced movement of population from densely populated coastal areas, to interior locations.

Hydrology

Reduction of wetland areas, as precipitation is reduced. In some places river flooding may increase.
Reduction of areas suitable for human habitation, for example. lowland Bangladesh.

Great pressure on water supplies. Problems for HEP schemes and irrigation. Increased population densities increase possibility of disease and malnutrition.

Population

Climate

Location of jet stream may alter. Depressions may shift south, causing them to be more intense.

Better forecasting needed to warn people More accurate weather of approaching storms. forecasting developed Insurance premiums will increase.

Activity
Look at the Global Warming Statements W/S and sort the statements into 3 categories using 3 different colours...

1. 2. 3. 4.

Basic facts about Global Warming. Causes of Global Warming. Effects of Global Warming. Strategies to reduce Global Warming.