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Global Warming
Global Warming is the century-scale rise in the average temperature of the Earth's surface, oceans, and atmosphere due to an increase in the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. This warming is causing climate patterns to change.
11,528 Questions
What happens when gases like carbon dioxide get trapped in the atmosphere?
That would depend on what is absorbing it. If it is plants, they grow well. If it is our oceans, they drop in PH.
In any event, the level CO2 decreases in the atmosphere. Historically, CO2 levels do not change though unless temperature changes first.
Does the burning of gas cause global warming?
Gasoline is a fossil fuel, so burning it releases carbon dioxide from millions of years go. This extra CO2 is too much for the carbon cycle to deal with, so the normal greenhouse effect becomes an accelerated greenhouse effect which is causing global warming.
Why does burning 1 kg of gasoline produce more than 3kg of carbon dioxide?
1000g C8H18 (octane - approximately gasoline) =114 Mwt +12.5 O2 = 32 Mwt ----> 8 CO2 = 44 Mwt + 9H2O
1000/114 = 8.772 moles gasoline produces 8x 8.772 = 70.175 moles CO2
= 70.175 X 44 = 3088 g CO2 or 3.088 kg.
The reason burning 1kg of Octane produces so much CO2 is that the unseen reactant is oxygen 8.772 x 12.5 = 109.65 moles of it or 3509g of it. Steam or water vapor is the other product.
How can you manage the long term effects of global warming?
Ten measurable long term effects of unchecked global warming are (according to the 2009 report from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration):
- sea levels rising. In April 2011 the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, based in Norway found that the Greenland ice sheet is melting four times faster than it was ten years ago. Their report stated: "The past six years have been the warmest period ever recorded in the Arctic. In the future, global sea level is projected to rise by .9 to 1.6 meters by 2100." This will flood many low lying countries and coastal plains.
- air temperature over land rising
- sea-surface temperature rising
- air temperature over oceans rising
- ocean heat rising
- humidity rising
- tropospheric temperature rising in the "active-weather" layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth's surface.
- Arctic sea ice declining
- glaciers declining
- spring snow cover in the Northern hemisphere declining
Extreme weather events, droughts and storms are unavoidable, but a warmer climate will mean they will be more common and more extreme. A rise of a few degrees in temperature will mean that regular crops will no longer grow. Present dry countries may become deserts. Rivers that are now fed by melting glaciers may dry up completely, destroying the lifeblood of many poor countries. Millions of people will face famine and drought and there may be mass migrations of people in search of food, water and sustainable living.
There is really nothing we can do to manage these long term events. We can only take steps to try and slow global warming by really cutting the amount of greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere.
How climate in deserts affect the way people live?
climate effect others and the way they live because there isn't a lot in deserts and they don't get a lot of rainfall during the day so really no one get much nutrients in the desert so that is why people don't always survive in deserts
Which human activity might explain the change in carbon dioxide levels?
Our dependence on fossil fuels for electricity and transport is the main reason for the recent change in carbon dioxide levels. Also deforestation. Humans have cut down great forests all over the world.
What are six ways that you show evidence of climate change?
- Rising temperatures.
- Sea ice and ice-caps melting.
- Rising sea levels and coastal flooding.
- Oceans becoming more acidic.
- Weather events becoming more frequent and more severe.
- Animal (and human) habitats disappearing.
Can humans stop the greenhouse effect?
We don't want to stop the natural greenhouse effect, which keeps the earth warm enough for life.
We can stop the enhanced (or accelerated) greenhouse effect which is causing global warming. But we have to act now and seriously, to move to renewable energy, stop burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), and replant billions of trees.
What effect does global warming have on the polar ice caps?
- Rising temperatures cause Arctic sea ice to melt earlier in the year, so polar bears are driven to go ashore without sufficient fat reserves to survive late summer and early autumn. Reduction of sea ice means they have to swim more, making them weaker. Some drown. Thinner sea ice makes it harder for them to catch seals. Poorly nourished female bears don't build suitable dens, don't produce as many cubs, and cubs that are born have a lower survival rate. The Western Hudson Bay subpopulation of polar bears are one of the best studied.
- Warming temperatures mean that ice-floe breakup in western Hudson Bay now happens three weeks earlier than it did 30 years ago, so the bears' feeding season is similarly shortened. The average weight of single female bears was about 290 kg in 1980. In 2004 the average weight was 230 kg. Bear population is Western Hudson Bay declined 22% between 1987 and 2004. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) live only in the northern arctic region of the planet, the region many people think of as the "North Pole". While they do not actually spend their entire lives on the ice, they depend on pack ice for their survival. Pack ice, also referred to as "ice floes", is ice which forms in arctic regions of the ocean, such as the Arctic Ocean in the north and the ocean surrounding Antarctica in the south.
- Global Warming is when Global Average Temperatures rise, causing the Earth to gradually become warmer; as the Earth warms, the pack ice begins to melt. Without pack ice Polar bears are in danger because they need pack ice to be able to feed. They travel over the sea ice looking for a tell-tale breathing hole those means that there is a seal underneath. They then jump on the ice to break through and then capture and eat the seal. Polar bears would generally be unable to catch enough food by any other hunting method. So, once the sea ice goes, then so do the polar bears in the wild.
- It could someday affect them greatly. Climate groups predict that, as the Arctic continues to grow in temperature due to climate change (global warming), two thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear by mid-century.
- For the best currently available scientific facts, and according to the 2011 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (a list of endangered and threatened species, which is one of the three major international endangered species lists cited officially in the Answers.com category of Endangered Species ~ for species that are listed under any status on the list ~ list version 2011.1), polar bears are listed as "Vulnerable." This is just one classification step down from "Endangered" on that listing.
- The Red List also indicates that the population trend is "Decreasing". And it says that, "Global climate change poses a substantial threat to the habitat of polar bears."
- The reduction in polar bear population is predicted by IUCN to be greater than 30% loss within 3 generations (45 Years), due to a decline in: area of occupancy, extent of occurrence, and habitat quality. This is related to the melting loss of sea ice, which is the hunting grounds of the bears.
- Also see a link to the 2011 Red List entry for polar bears below in the related links section.
- Although there are people who will contend that polar bears are not threatened because they are not in dire need of help (i.e., not even close to becoming extinct), polar bears are classified as being vulnerable. This classification means that they are threatened, just not as threatened as Giant Pandas. See above for why lack of sea ice means death -- and eventual extinction -- for polar bears, a species of bear which depends on sea ice while hunting.
Yes, they can only hunt for food on frozen sea ice and global warming is reducing the amount of sea ice and making it arive later and melt earlier - Thus polar bears are going hungry for longer in summer and having their hunting range reduced.
What gas would cause the most greenhouse warming of earth's atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the gas that contributes the most to greenhouse warming of Earth's atmosphere due to its high concentration and long atmospheric lifetime.
What is the largest contributor to increased levels of CO2?
The burning of fossil fuels is the largest contributor to increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. This includes activities such as driving cars, generating electricity, and industrial processes, which release CO2 as a byproduct.
What is the name of the water cycle process where plants give of water vapor to the atmosphere?
The process is called transpiration, whereby water vapor is released through the stomata of plant leaves. A different process that releases liquid water from the xylem is called guttation.
What evidence supports that climate change is a result of natural change?
Global warming is worldwide global warming is heating are planet if we don't stop we could run out of fresh water and are cities are going to be flooded so stop polluting and save the earth its the only place we have got to live and I'm talking about planets not about houses because some people don't even have those so save the earth and recycle reduce reuse recycle :)
We should use buses more often or transportation besides our cars that are public to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases we put into the air.
What is the main regulator of carbon dioxide?
The main regulator of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere is the carbon cycle, which involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms. This cycle is influenced by natural processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, ocean absorption, and human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Are greenhouse gases always considered harmful?
While greenhouse gases play a crucial role in maintaining Earth's temperature and supporting life, an excess of these gases in the atmosphere can lead to global warming and climate change, which can have harmful effects on the environment and biodiversity. Therefore, it is the accumulation and imbalance of greenhouse gases that are considered harmful, rather than their presence in the atmosphere.
Why did the greenhouse call a doctor answers?
The greenhouse called a doctor because some of its plants were displaying unusual symptoms such as wilting, discoloration, or unusual growth patterns. The greenhouse needed a professional to diagnose and treat any potential diseases or issues affecting the plants to ensure their health and wellbeing.
Is global warming a result of human activities. Has this been an addition to the greenhouse effect?
The Earth has always has a greenhouse effect, it has kept our planet warmer than it should have been given its albedo and distance from the sun. The present concern is due to the enhanced greenhouse effect caused by the emission of carbon dioxide and a limited number of other gases into the atmosphere due to human activities.
What year is world domination?
There is no specific year for world domination as it is a concept often seen in fictional or historical contexts. In reality, world domination is not a realistic or desirable goal, as it goes against principles of cooperation and harmony among nations.
What is one of the indications that the earth's climate has varied over time?
Fossils. We find fossils of tropical plants in areas that are definitely not warm today, such as Antarctica and Greenland.
There are other, more complicated pieces of evidence as well, but that's one of the easiest to understand.
Yes, the increased use of methyl bromide does contribute to ozone depletion over Antarctica. Methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance that can reach the stratosphere and break down ozone molecules. The decrease in ozone layer thickness over Antarctica is primarily due to a combination of factors including the presence of methyl bromide in the atmosphere.
Comparing Earth to Mars and Venus can help project potential impacts of global warming on Earth by providing examples of extreme scenarios. Venus's runaway greenhouse effect could show the dangers of unchecked warming, while Mars's lack of atmosphere highlights the importance of Earth's protective layer. By studying these planets, we can better understand the potential consequences of climate change on Earth.
What is the cost to fix the Greenland ice sheet?
The cost to fix the Greenland ice sheet is difficult to estimate as it would involve complex engineering projects on a massive scale. It would likely require significant investment in research, technology, and international cooperation. Additionally, addressing the underlying causes of climate change would be key to stabilizing and potentially reversing the loss of ice in Greenland.
Is global warming occurring or not?
Yes, global warming is still happening. After the record average global temperature set in 1998, there were several years of slightly lower temperatures, and some sceptics said that temperatures had reached a new plateau and were now stabilising, while others claimed that the world was actually cooling. However, the 1998 record was matched again in 2005 and slightly exceeded in 2010. Climate scientists say that the last ten years were the warmest since instrumental records began in 1850.
Why is desertification a global problem?
Desertification is a global problem because it affects over 100 countries and threatens the livelihoods of millions of people. It is primarily caused by human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agriculture, leading to degraded land and loss of biodiversity. Desertification can result in food insecurity, water scarcity, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters, impacting both local communities and the global environment.
How is the stratospheric ozone layer formed?
The stratospheric ozone layer is formed when oxygen molecules (O2) in the stratosphere are broken apart by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. These oxygen atoms (O) then combine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone (O3). The ozone layer plays a crucial role in absorbing and deflecting harmful UV radiation.
