Global Warming:Global Warming:Its no longer just a threatIts no longer just a threat

What is Global WarmingWhat is Global Warming

Global warming is the increase of the Global warming is the increase of the Earth’s temperature through Earth’s temperature through temperature increases in the air near temperature increases in the air near the Earth’s surface and also the oceans.the Earth’s surface and also the oceans.

Since the Industrial Revolution, the Since the Industrial Revolution, the Earth’s temperature has increased Earth’s temperature has increased by .6 degrees Celsius, or 1.08 degrees by .6 degrees Celsius, or 1.08 degrees Fahrenheit.Fahrenheit.

Main Cause of Global Main Cause of Global WarmingWarming

The main cause of global warming is the influx of The main cause of global warming is the influx of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases work to trap some of the rays of the sun Greenhouse gases work to trap some of the rays of the sun and let others go. This keeps the lower atmosphere of the and let others go. This keeps the lower atmosphere of the Earth warm. This is known as the greenhouse effect.Earth warm. This is known as the greenhouse effect.

However, the increase in the main greenhouse gases such However, the increase in the main greenhouse gases such as; carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and as; carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorocarbons, which lead to more infrared rays being fluorocarbons, which lead to more infrared rays being trapped in the atmosphere.trapped in the atmosphere.

The influx of some gases, such as carbon dioxide is caused The influx of some gases, such as carbon dioxide is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. by the burning of fossil fuels.

The use coal, oil and natural gas to generate electricity, The use coal, oil and natural gas to generate electricity, heat homes, power factories and operate automobiles, all heat homes, power factories and operate automobiles, all add to the increases of carbon dioxide in the air.add to the increases of carbon dioxide in the air.

The Greenhouse EffectThe Greenhouse Effect

This graph shows the increase of carbon dioxide in the This graph shows the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.atmosphere.

Effects of Global WarmingEffects of Global Warming

The main effect is an increase in the The main effect is an increase in the Earth’s temperature by 2.5ºF to 10.4ºF Earth’s temperature by 2.5ºF to 10.4ºF by the year 2100.by the year 2100.

Rising sea levels.Rising sea levels. Changes in precipitations.Changes in precipitations. Increased rates of floods and droughts.Increased rates of floods and droughts. Increased ocean temperatures will lead Increased ocean temperatures will lead

to stronger hurricanes and tropical to stronger hurricanes and tropical storms.storms.

Effects of Global Warming Effects of Global Warming Cont.Cont.

Melting of the polar ice caps will add a great amount Melting of the polar ice caps will add a great amount of fresh water to the oceans, affecting the Great of fresh water to the oceans, affecting the Great Conveyor belt, which effects the temperature and Conveyor belt, which effects the temperature and climate of Europe and the eastern coast of the climate of Europe and the eastern coast of the United States, causing a small ice age.United States, causing a small ice age.

Because of melting ice in the arctic, many animals Because of melting ice in the arctic, many animals such as the polar bears are drowning because they such as the polar bears are drowning because they have to swim farther into the ocean to find seals.have to swim farther into the ocean to find seals.

Tropical diseases will spread with increased Tropical diseases will spread with increased temperatures.temperatures.

Certain plants and animals will become extinct.Certain plants and animals will become extinct.

Melting in the Arctic is just one effect of global Melting in the Arctic is just one effect of global

warmingwarming..

What We Can Do!What We Can Do!

Reduce electricity usage. Power plants burn Reduce electricity usage. Power plants burn fossil fuels to create electricity.fossil fuels to create electricity.

If you are in the market to purchase a new car, If you are in the market to purchase a new car, consider a hybrid car, or a fuel-efficient vehicle.consider a hybrid car, or a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Drive less. Try walking, or taking public Drive less. Try walking, or taking public transportation.transportation.

Recycle aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines, Recycle aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, glass. This will conserve energy used cardboard, glass. This will conserve energy used to create new products.to create new products.

Open windows instead of using an air conditioner.Open windows instead of using an air conditioner.