Climate Change: Global Warming

Climate Change

Global Warming

• Definition: Global warming refers to the long-term trend of rising average global temperatures, primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
• Causes:
  • Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) for energy
  • Deforestation and land-use changes
  • Agriculture and livestock production
• Effects:
  • Rising sea levels
  • Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events (heatwaves, droughts, floods)
  • Changes in precipitation patterns
  • Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption

Greenhouse Gases

• Definition: Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation, trapping heat and contributing to the greenhouse effect.
• Main Greenhouse Gases:
  1. Carbon dioxide (CO2): most abundant, primarily from fossil fuel burning and land-use changes
  2. Methane (CH4): from agriculture, natural gas production, and landfills
  3. Nitrous oxide (N2O): from agriculture, industrial processes, and natural sources
  4. Water vapor (H2O): most abundant, but concentration varies
  5. Ozone (O3): created in the stratosphere through UV radiation
  6. Fluorinated gases (F-gases): from industrial processes, refrigeration, and air conditioning
• Effects:
  • Trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming
  • Enhance the natural greenhouse effect, amplifying climate change
  • Influence climate patterns and weather extremes

Note: These notes focus on the core concepts and key facts related to global warming and greenhouse gases. They are meant to provide a concise and informative overview of these topics within the context of climate change.

Climate Change

Global Warming

• Global warming is the long-term trend of rising average global temperatures, primarily caused by human activities releasing greenhouse gases.
• Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) for energy is a major cause of global warming.
• Deforestation and land-use changes contribute to global warming.
• Agriculture and livestock production are significant contributors to global warming.
• Rising sea levels are a significant effect of global warming.
• Global warming leads to increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, and floods.
• Changes in precipitation patterns are a consequence of global warming.
• Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption are results of global warming.

Greenhouse Gases

• Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation, trapping heat and contributing to the greenhouse effect.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most abundant greenhouse gas, primarily from fossil fuel burning and land-use changes.
• Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas from agriculture, natural gas production, and landfills.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas from agriculture, industrial processes, and natural sources.
• Water vapor (H2O) is the most abundant greenhouse gas, but its concentration varies.
• Ozone (O3) is a greenhouse gas created in the stratosphere through UV radiation.
• Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are potent greenhouse gases from industrial processes, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
• Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.
• They enhance the natural greenhouse effect, amplifying climate change.
• Greenhouse gases influence climate patterns and weather extremes.