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Global Warming

LESSON 6

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Solar Radiation

of the incoming solar radiation from the sun, some is absorbed and some is reflected

51% ABSORBED BY SURFACE (LAND & WATER)

19% ABSORBED BY ATMOSPHERE & CLOUDS

4% REFLECTED BY SURFACE (LAND & WATER)

20% REFLECTED BY CLOUDS

6% REFLECTED BY ATMOSPHERE

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Solar Radiation

70% Absorbed

  • this energy stays within the Earth’s system and warms it

30% Reflected

  • this energy does not stay within the Earth’s system and does not warm it

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EARTH’S

ENERGY

BALANCE

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Earth’s Energy Balance

70% Absorbed

  • the absorbed energy is converted to infrared radiation and radiated away from the Earth
  • some of the radiated energy escapes back out to space but most is bounced back by the atmosphere around the Earth

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30% Reflected

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The balance between the energy lost into space and the energy trapped by the atmosphere is referred to as:

Earth’s energy balance

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Greenhouse Effect

  • the gases in the atmosphere that trap radiated heat from the surface of the Earth are called greenhouse gases

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Greenhouse Effect

  • the gases in the atmosphere that trap radiated heat from the surface of the Earth are called greenhouse gases

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  • these gases act in the same �way that the panes of �glass in a greenhouse do, �trapping heat and �containing it

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Greenhouse Effect

  • greenhouse gases are naturally occurring and are essential to life on Earth
    • without these gases, Earth would be far too cold to sustain life

SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

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Greenhouse Effect

  • problems occur when humans generate �additional greenhouse gases
    • this increases the concentration of these gases so that it is higher than the naturally occurring concentration
    • the higher concentration of greenhouse gases amplifies the greenhouse effect, resulting in global warming (an increase in global temperature)

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Major Greenhouse Gases

  • Carbon Dioxide
    • produced by
      • burning fossil fuels for power and transportation
      • burning of forests to clear land for farming
  • Methane
    • produced by
      • raising of livestock
      • fossil fuel processing
      • landfills
  • Nitrous Oxide
    • produced by
      • use of fertilizers
      • burning of fossil fuels

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IMPACTS OF

GLOBAL

WARMING

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Impacts Of Global Warming

  • ECOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES
    • rainfall disruptions resulting in droughts
    • alterations in ecological habitats
    • increase in number and severity of forest fires
    • extinctions
    • increase in severe weather

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Impacts Of Global Warming

  • RISING SEA LEVELS
    • glacier and polar ice cap melt
      • habitat loss
    • flooding of low-lying coastal areas

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Impacts Of Global Warming

  • FOOD SUPPLY
    • disruptions in agricultural practices
      • erosion
      • drought

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