Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse effect is a warming of the lower atmosphere and surface of a planet by a complex process
involving sunlight, gases, and particles in the atmosphere. On the earth, the greenhouse effect began long before
human beings existed. However, recent human activity may have added to the effect. The amounts of heattrapping atmospheric gases, called greenhouse gases, have greatly increased since the mid-1800's, when modern
industry became widespread. Since the late 1800's, the temperature of the earth's surface has also risen. The
greenhouse effect is so named because the atmosphere acts much like the glass roof and walls of a greenhouse,
trapping heat from the sun.
The natural greenhouse effect. The atmosphere reflects toward space about 30 percent of the energy in incoming
sunlight. The atmosphere absorbs about another 30 percent, and the remaining 40 percent or so reaches the
earth's surface.
The earth's surface reflects about 15 percent of the solar energy that reaches it back toward space. The
remaining energy heats the lands and seas. The warmed lands and seas then send most of the heat back into the
atmosphere, chiefly as infrared rays and in evaporated water. Infrared rays are much like light waves but are
invisible to the human eye.
When the rays from the lands and seas strike certain substances in the atmosphere, such as greenhouse gases and
particles, those substances absorb the rays. As a result, the gases and particles are heated. They then are
cooled by sending out infrared rays of their own. Some of the rays go into space. The remainder radiate back
toward the earth's surface, adding to the warming of the surface layer of air. Without the natural greenhouse
effect, the average temperature of the earth's surface would be about 33 C cooler than it is now.
The chief greenhouse gases are made up of atoms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These gases are water
vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone. The greenhouse particles include cloud droplets, soot, and dust.
Increases in greenhouse gases. Since the early to mid-1800's, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
has increased by about 25 percent and the methane concentration has risen by about 150 percent. Most of the
increase has been due to human activities--chiefly the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and the
clearing of land. Fossil fuels contain carbon, and burning them produces carbon dioxide. Trees and other plants
absorb the gas through the process of photosynthesis. As land is cleared and forests are cut down, carbon
dioxide levels rise.
The average temperature of the earth's surface has increased about 0.5 to 0.9 Celsius degree since the late
1800's. Scientists have not yet proved that an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide has raised the surface
temperature. But in the likely event that this relationship does exist, the eventual results could be severe. Many
scientists estimate that by about 2050, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will have doubled from
the pre-industrial level. If this increase were to add to the natural greenhouse effect, the earth's surface
temperature might rise between 1.5 and 4.5 C by 2100.

The increase in surface temperature, which is called global warming, could alter the ecology of many parts of the
earth. For example, global warming could change rainfall patterns, melt enough polar ice to raise the sea level,
increase the severity of tropical storms, and lead to shifts in plant and animal populations. Ocean currents and
wind patterns could change, making some areas cooler than they are now. One remote possibility is that a
warming of northern regions will result in more winter snowfall, causing some ice sheets to advance.
Studying the greenhouse effect. Researchers use high-speed computers to study how carbon dioxide
concentration may affect surface temperature. The computers manipulate mathematical models, sets of equations
that describe relationships between changeable factors. Scientists do not have enough data to prove that
variations in the amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere cause shifts in surface temperature.
They may need until the 2010's to gather enough data. But certain models suggest that the 2010's may be too
late to avoid some damage from global warming.
Scientists have also examined evidence from the distant past to determine whether changes in carbon dioxide
concentration cause temperature changes. Cores of ice drilled from great depths in Greenland and Antarctica
provide a record for the past 160,000 years. During those years, the climate warmed and cooled several times.
Researchers analysed the gases and other substances that were trapped in the ice when it formed. During the
cooler periods, the atmosphere contained about 30 percent less carbon dioxide and 50 percent less methane than
during the warmer periods.
International agreement. In 1997, more than 150 nations attending a United Nations conference on global
warming in Kyoto, Japan, agreed to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement called for 38 industrial
nations to reduce emissions of several greenhouse gases--mostly carbon dioxide--to an average of 5 percent
below 1990 levels by the year 2012.

(Source: Worldbook 2001 CD)

There has been a lot of discussion about Global Warming and the Greenhouse effect in
recent years. (Please see press articles). As a young adult this global issue does (or will)
affect you and your family.
You are required to investigate the Greenhouse Effect, specifically
What it is?
How it came about?
Why should we be concerned?
The consequences if it goes unchecked.
Steps we can take (as individuals, a nation, the whole world) to help reduce
Greenhouse gases.
Consequences of reducing greenhouse gases.
You must validate your report with numerical evidence, represented graphically as well as
qualitative research methodology.
Please ensure all references are correctly cited and a bibliography is included in your
report.

Useful /Helpful Hints and suggestions.

Clarify:
Restate the problem (What are you being asked to do?)
What information do you require to find out?
eg
Defining Greenhouse effect and how it can come about.
Temperature range over the last 500 years. (You may also wish to do
more detail research since the start of the Industrial age.)
Prediction of possible futures.
Reasons to be concerned.
Define Terminology.
Why should we be concerned?
What assumptions are you making?
Choose:
Research the Kyoto agreement and why some countries appose it.
Where will you collect your information?
How will you represent your data and information that you have found?
Use:
Collect your data
Collate and present your information
State why we should be concerned about Earths future
Check & Interpret
Determine possible scenarios if Greenhouse gases go unchecked or if all countries
abide by the Kyoto agreement.
State possible solutions/steps we can take as individuals, a nation and as a global
community we can take to help reduce greenhouse gases.
Or state why (with appropriate evidence) you believe there should be no reason for
concern and everything will be OK for you and your children if we just keep going
the way we have always gone.
Have you found out what you where required to find out.
Make suggestions for improvements.
Communicate:
Report easy to read, correct use of terminology and models. Graphs correctly formatted
and easy to read. Write a recommendation (to other people of your age group, or even to
your local MP) stating what you have found and what you are recommending.

Useful starting points:

Newspapers (The West and the Australian are available in the library)
Television (News, Current Affairs, Documentaries)
Magazines & Books (Library Research)
WorldBook CD & Encarta CD
Newspaper articles
Sunday Program interview with Senator Robert Hill (5/8/01) & 60 Minutes Video on Greenhouse Effect
[Available from Churchlands Website\Learning Areas\Mathematics\MWM]
Internet:
www.energy.com.au , www.environment.gov.au , www.greenpeace.org.au
Global warming sites (by Linda Bruce Australian PC User March 2001 p.77)
Global Warming: ABC TV
www.abe.net.au/lateline/s2l3861.htm
This Lateline TV script of November 17, 2000 covers the recent international negotiations leading to the abortive
treaty talks in Hague. It's useful for introducing the carbon emission trading and the concept of 'sinks', hoped to
form the basis of an international resolution on climate change. The conference ended without agreement.
Global Warming - The Cooler Heads
www.globalwarm.com
This is a portal site providing regular coverage of net - sourced editorial on global warming. It also has related links
to sites on ecology, pollution, the environment and the effect of global warming on the weather. Formed by a
coalition group known as The Cooler Heads, the site's non- interventionist pro-market - oriented approach becomes
apparent from its links, which advocate a sceptical view.
Climate Ark Climate Change Portal
www.climateark.org
Pushing the opposite view to Cooler Heads, Climate Ark is dedicated to promoting public policy that addresses
global climate change through reductions in carbon dioxide and other emissions, energy conservation, alternative
energy sources and ending deforestation.
Greenpeace on Global Warming and the Australian Senate Inquiry
www.greenpeace.org.au/campaigns/climate/senate_inquiry/index.php3 Interventionist group Greenpeace's
site advocates government intervention. Its coverage of the Australian Senate inquiry is useful but partial.
Climatic Confusion and Corporate Collusion - Hijacking the Greenhouse Debate
www.uow.edu.au/arts/tsts/sbeder/ecologist.html Sharon Beder's paper for The Ecologist offers useful fodder to
fuel the corporate conspiracy theory on global warming and the challenges faced by the Australian government's
policies.
Senate Report - The Heat is On
www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/ecita_ctte/gobalwarm/index.htm Issued on November 7, 2000, the report
rejects assertions of "greenhouse sceptics" and presses the government to ratify the convention on climate change
(Kyoto protocol) at Hague. Available in HTML and Adobe Acrobat's PDF, it is a well organised coverage of the
issues from the Australian government's perspective.
Australia's approach to global warming
www.environment.gov.au/minister/env/2000/sp14nov00.html
www.environment.gov.au/minister/env/2000/sp21nov00.html
www.greenhouse.gov.au
Ultimately the federal government tried to find a way that was both sympathetic to international environment
concerns and comfortable for industry. Environment minister Robert Hill's speech to the Queensland Chamber of
Commerce and Industry is worth analysing for clues as to whether there was a prospect for the treaty. He seems
more concerned about his government not getting due recognition for its efforts than about whether progress could
or should be made.
Criticisms of Australia's approach can be found at:
www.wilderness.org.au/member/tws/news/media/20001117_mr.html
www.climateark.org/articles/2000/4th/aurebuoy.htm
Endorsement for Australia's approach is harder to find but ACCI's disappointment about the wash-up to the Hague
conference comes close at
www.acci.asn.au/text_files/issues_papers/Environ/EN10.pdf

This outcome may be an opportunity to demonstrate your initiative. Many students may be tempted to support
the criticism of the government because there are few reports defending its actions.