Transcript Document

The Greenhouse Effect
What are greenhouse gases?


Energy from the sun
heats the earth’s surface;
in turn, the earth radiates
energy back into space.
Atmospheric GHG trap
some of the outgoing
energy, retaining heat
somewhat like the glass
panels of a greenhouse.


Without this natural
greenhouse effect,
temperatures would be
much lower than they
are now, and life would
not be possible.
With greenhouse gases,
the temperature of the
earth is warm for life.
Naturally occurring GHG that are
affected by human activities

-
-
-
Carbon dioxide (CO2)is
released by
combustion of fossil
fuels (oil, natural gas
and coal), and wood
decomposition of organic
matter
*deforestation

-
-
Methane (CH4) is
emitted
during the production
and transport of coal,
natural gas and oil.
by the decomposition of
organic wastes in solid
waste landfills
Naturally occurring GHG that are
affected by human activities

-
-
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is
emitted during
agricultural and industrial
activities
combustion of solid
waste and fossil fuels


Ozone (O3) is destroyed
by CFCs
(chlorofluorocarbons)
Ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere helps
blocking out the harmful
rays that cause skin
cancer.
Human-induced GHG that are not
naturally occurring

-
Hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs) are generated in
a variety of industrial
processes

-
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
are generated in
a variety of industrial
processes
Human-induced GHG that are not
naturally occurring

-
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
are generated in
a variety of industrial
processes


Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) is released from
air conditioners
Refrigerators
Aerosols
Chlorine is the main
compound which
reduces the ozone layer
in the upper atmosphere