Climate Change, Greenhouse Effect, and Footprint

Climate Change and Ecological Footprint

• Climate change on Earth can be explained
• Key concepts include the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect, causes and consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect, and the ecological footprint.

Atmosphere and Natural Greenhouse Effect

• The atmosphere, also known as the "dampkring," is a layer around the Earth that retains heat.
• Weather occurs in the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
• The atmosphere provides oxygen and maintains a habitable temperature on Earth.
• The natural greenhouse effect is a natural warming process.
• The average temperature on Earth is 15 degrees Celsius due to the atmosphere.
• Without the atmosphere, the average temperature would be -18 degrees Celsius.
• Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun.
• Key greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
• Greenhouse gases function like glass in a greenhouse, letting sunlight in but trapping heat.
• Solar rays pass through the atmosphere and reach the Earth's surface.
• The Earth's surface emits heat when struck by solar rays, warming the air above it.
• Greenhouse gases trap heat, preventing some of it from escaping back into space.
• The natural greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth.
• The enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by human activities, resulting in an excess of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

• The enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by human activities that increase the concentration of greenhouse gases.
• Burning fossil fuels in cars and factories contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
• Intensive animal farming, particularly with cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens, releases methane from manure.
• Thawing permafrost in Russia and Canada releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• The enhanced greenhouse effect leads to too many greenhouse gases being trapped in the atmosphere.
• Rising global temperatures are a result of the enhanced greenhouse effect.
• Melting ice caps, such as those in Antarctica and Greenland, are caused by rising temperatures.
• Climate changes and sea-level rise are consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect.
• Low-lying countries like Bangladesh and the Netherlands are at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels.

Ecological Footprint

• The ecological footprint measures the amount of space a person uses to live.
• Higher consumption leads to increased production, resulting in more CO2 emissions.
• Wealthier individuals generally have a larger ecological footprint due to their consumption patterns.
• The ecological footprint considers the amount of food consumed, heating and vacation habits, and the resources used for clothing and other goods.
• The ecological footprint can be used to measure and compare the environmental impact of different individuals and countries.
• Kenya has a smaller ecological footprint compared to the Netherlands due to lower average consumption.
• The United States has one of the largest ecological footprints.
• Sustainable consumption can reduce the ecological footprint.
• Examples of sustainable consumption include buying second-hand clothing, eating less meat, and using bicycles instead of cars.
• Reducing CO2 emissions is crucial to limiting the effects of the greenhouse effect and decreasing the ecological footprint.
• Wealthier countries generally have larger ecological footprints.