0
Fossil fuels, such as gasoline, methane, and propane, contain carbon. When fossil fuels are burned they react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide. Due to the increase in consumption of fossil fuels, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is increasing. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere lets light energy in, but less heat energy out, thus producing a 'greenhouse effect'.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoFossil fuels such as gasoline, methane and propane contain mostly carbon. When these fuels are burned, they react with oxygen and produce carbon dioxide.
Because of our heavy use of fossil fuels, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been increasing since the industrial revolution. The destruction of forests which use carbon dioxide also contributes to the increase in carbon dioxide.
Most of the light energy from the sun is emitted in wavelengths shorter than 4,000 nanometers (.000004 meters). The heat energy released from the earth, however, is released in wavelengths longer than 4,000 nanometers. Carbon dioxide doesn't absorb the energy from the sun, but it does absorb some of the heat energy released from the earth. When a molecule of carbon dioxide absorbs heat energy, it goes into an excited unstable state. It can become stable again by releasing the energy it absorbed. Some of the released energy will go back to the earth and some will go out into space. So in effect, carbon dioxide lets the light energy in, but doesn't let all of the heat energy out, similar to a greenhouse.
Currently, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing at the rate of about one part per million per year. If this continues, some meteorologists expect that the average temperature of the earth will increase by about 2.5 degrees Celsius. This doesn't sound like much, but it could be enough to cause glaciers to melt, which would cause coastal flooding.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe carbon dioxide acts as a blanket which traps the heat of the earth.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agowhen it is released into the air CO2 traps more of the sun's heat which changes the earth's climate, melts glaciers and so on.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How could people cause global warming?
People cause global warming by deforestation, release waste gases (CO2) and pollution.
It is believed that excessive CO2 emissions will cause?
CO2 is carbon dioxide, and excessive CO2 is believed to cause Global Warming.
What environmental problem is caused by excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
None that can be proven. While global warming effects an increase in atmospheric CO2, it is not correct to assume that an increase in CO2 will cause global warming; there are several other atmospheric gasses more warming than CO2, also on the rise.
Is global warming a cause or a effect of climate change?
Global warming is the cause of climate change.Climate change is the result of global warming.
Can global warming cause lake fires?
No global warming can not cause Lake fires .
How could people cause global warming?
People cause global warming by deforestation, release waste gases (CO2) and pollution.
It is believed that excessive CO2 emissions will cause?
CO2 is carbon dioxide, and excessive CO2 is believed to cause Global Warming.
How does the destruction of the Amazon affect global warming?
trees convert CO2 to O2. CO2 is the cause of the warming The less trees there are to convert CO2, the more CO2 there will be
Which gas is used as reference to calculate global warming potential?
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is given a Global Warming Potential measure of 1.There are many green house gases that cause global warming but the gas used as reference to calculate global warming potential is carbon dioxide (Co2)
What atmospheric gas is thought to cause global climate warming?
Carbon Dioxide or CO2 is thought to be the cause of global warming. Carbon dioxide is one of the products from a combustion reaction.
What environmental problem is caused by excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
None that can be proven. While global warming effects an increase in atmospheric CO2, it is not correct to assume that an increase in CO2 will cause global warming; there are several other atmospheric gasses more warming than CO2, also on the rise.
What is global warming in the movie the inconvienient truth?
Global warming is mainly caused by CO2
Is CO2 destroying the ozone?
Carbon dioxide is denoted by CO2. It causes global warming. Global warming then causes ozone depletion.
Do toxic chemicals from power plants cause global warming?
Yes, mostly carbon dioxide (CO2).
What does the greenhouse effect have to do with the Carbon cycle and the Oxygen cycle?
Co2 is a greenhouse gas. It cause for global warming.
What gases are in car exhaust that hurt climate?
Well, if humans cause global warming, then the CO2 and water vapor will cause problems.
Is global warming a cause or a effect of climate change?
Global warming is the cause of climate change.Climate change is the result of global warming.
