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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'.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere. When levels of CO2 in the atmosphere increase due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, it enhances the natural greenhouse effect, leading to an overall warming of the planet known as global warming.
Fossil 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.
The carbon dioxide acts as a blanket which traps the heat of the earth.
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How could people cause global warming?
People can contribute to global warming by burning fossil fuels for energy, which releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Deforestation, agriculture, and industrial processes also release greenhouse gases. As these gases trap heat in the atmosphere, they cause temperatures to rise and contribute to global warming.
What are two human activities that contribute to global worming?
Burning fossil fuels for energy production and transportation releases greenhouse gases like CO2, which trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming. Deforestation reduces the planet's ability to absorb CO2, leading to an increase in greenhouse gases and contributing to global warming.
What environmental problem is caused by excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to global warming and climate change. This can result in rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disruption of ecosystems, impacting both human populations and wildlife.
What is the name that gives gases that trap heat and cause global warming?
Greenhouse gasses are the cause of Global Warming.
How do polar bears cause global warming?
Polar bears do not cause global warming. In fact, polar bears are affected by global warming due to the shrinking of their sea ice habitat. The loss of sea ice reduces their hunting grounds and threatens their survival.
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
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.
Which gas is used as reference to calculate global warming potential?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is commonly used as the reference gas to calculate global warming potential. It has a GWP of 1 and allows for comparing the impact of other greenhouse gases on the climate system.
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.
What can you trust about global warming?
Nobody argues that global warming is happening, but there is a debate over what is causing it. Some believe it is caused by humans putting too much CO2 in the air and other people believe that several variables of nature (CO2, sun, etc) are the cause.
How could people cause global warming?
People can contribute to global warming by burning fossil fuels for energy, which releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Deforestation, agriculture, and industrial processes also release greenhouse gases. As these gases trap heat in the atmosphere, they cause temperatures to rise and contribute to global warming.
How are deforestation global warming and carbon dioxide connected?
Deforestation = less trees less trees = more CO2 and according to some people- more CO2 = Global warming
Do you not believe in global warming?
I do. Global warming exists. The main cause of global warming is the increase in greenhouse gases from burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) in industry, transport and the generation of electricity, which releases carbon dioxide (CO2). That increase is reversible. The second leading cause is the increase in deforestation. That is also reversible.
What are two human activities that contribute to global worming?
Burning fossil fuels for energy production and transportation releases greenhouse gases like CO2, which trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming. Deforestation reduces the planet's ability to absorb CO2, leading to an increase in greenhouse gases and contributing to global warming.
