EnvironmentEnvironment

The earth’s annual mean temperature The earth’s annual mean temperature increased approximately 1.4 degrees increased approximately 1.4 degrees Celsius from 1866 to 1990.Celsius from 1866 to 1990.

This has been named Global Warming This has been named Global Warming caused by the Greenhouse Effect.caused by the Greenhouse Effect.

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse EffectCarbon Dioxide

trapped within the

atmosphere is

causing the heat

from the Sun to

remain within the

atmosphere, which

slowly warms the

earth causing what is

known as the

Greenhouse Effect.

CarbonCarbon

The earth’s total amount of carbon is The earth’s total amount of carbon is neither gained or lost, but merely neither gained or lost, but merely moved around.moved around.

Plants use carbon in their everyday Plants use carbon in their everyday life.life.

Carbon is stored in growing and dead Carbon is stored in growing and dead plant material.plant material.

Carbon in OilCarbon in Oil

Carbon is also stored in oil deep below the Carbon is also stored in oil deep below the earth’s crust. When this oil is brought to the earth’s crust. When this oil is brought to the surface and burned, a large portion of surface and burned, a large portion of carbon moves into the atmosphere.carbon moves into the atmosphere.

Excess carbon in the atmosphere is Excess carbon in the atmosphere is believed to be a contributing factor in the believed to be a contributing factor in the “greenhouse effect” theory and the “global “greenhouse effect” theory and the “global warming” theory.warming” theory.

Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle

The carbon cycle describes the general The carbon cycle describes the general movement of carbon.movement of carbon.

Carbon is moved from one area to another:Carbon is moved from one area to another:– From underground to the atmosphere by useFrom underground to the atmosphere by use– Into plants by respirationInto plants by respiration– Back into the air by use or decay of the plantBack into the air by use or decay of the plant– Between atmosphere and water by osmosisBetween atmosphere and water by osmosis– In and out of animals by consumption and In and out of animals by consumption and

digestiondigestion

Carbon CycleCarbon CycleCarbon

Cycle

Carbon Dioxide (COCarbon Dioxide (CO22))

Measuring COMeasuring CO22 in the atmosphere is in the atmosphere is one way to check carbon movement.one way to check carbon movement.

The amount of COThe amount of CO22 in the atmosphere in the atmosphere is increasing.is increasing.

The release of COThe release of CO22 in the atmosphere in the atmosphere has been associated with the depletion has been associated with the depletion of the ozone layer. of the ozone layer.

Ethanol CombustionEthanol Combustion

Ethanol combustion does not result in Ethanol combustion does not result in high levels of COhigh levels of CO22 because the gas because the gas

that is released is offset by the gas that is released is offset by the gas that is consumed by plants grown for that is consumed by plants grown for ethanol production.ethanol production.

Carbon Dioxide LevelsCarbon Dioxide Levels

CO2 levels in Hawaii and Northern Canada (Alert, NWT) are significantly higher than pre-industrial levels and are continuing to rise.

Biomass Carbon Biomass Carbon CycleCycle

Experts suggest that the greenhouse effect could be lessened by using biomass-based energy. While growing, plants consume carbon in the form of CO2. This carbon is then released in the form of CO2 when plant material is used as a source of energy.

ReferencesReferences

Global Warming Information PageGlobal Warming Information Pagehttp://www.globalwarming.orghttp://www.globalwarming.org

United National Environmental ProgramUnited National Environmental Programhttp://www.grida.no/climate/vital/03.htmhttp://www.grida.no/climate/vital/03.htm

CRC Greenhouse AccountingCRC Greenhouse Accountinghttp://www.greenhouse.crc.org.auhttp://www.greenhouse.crc.org.au

Total Ozone Mapping SpectometerTotal Ozone Mapping Spectometerhttp://jwocky.gsfc.nasa.gov/teacher/ozone_overheahttp://jwocky.gsfc.nasa.gov/teacher/ozone_overhead.htmld.html

Environmental CandaEnvironmental Candahttp://www.ec.gc.ca/envhome.htmlhttp://www.ec.gc.ca/envhome.html

Oak Ridge National LaboratoryOak Ridge National Laboratoryhttp:// http:// www.ornl.gov

End of SectionEnd of Section