1. The Greenhouse Effect

2. What difference does the climate system make to the Earth? • The climate system moderate’s Earth’s temperature by trapping and storing energy from the Sun and distributing it around the world • Air temperature remains relatively constant day and night and across large regions

3. What is the Greenhouse Effect? • The earth's "greenhouse effect" is what makes this planet suitable for life as we know it. • Atmosphere allows much of the high-energy radiation from the Sun to pass through • Earth’s surface absorbs this energy and reflects it back as low-energy infrared (IR) radiation • Gases in the atmosphere trap IR radiation and radiate it in all directions • About half gets sent back to Earth and warms it even more • The energy trapping process is called the Greenhouse Effect • The average temperature on Earth is about 15°C • It would be -18°C without a climate system • The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process that has been happening for millions of years

6. Greenhouse Gases A Greenhouse gas is any gas in the atmosphere that absorbs IR radiation. Carbon Dioxide • makes up a tiny amount of gases but accounts for up to a quarter of the natural Greenhouse Effect • natural sources are volcanic eruptions, burning of organic matter, and cellular respiration

7. Water Vapour • Accounts for 2/3’s of Earth’s natural greenhouse effect • Quantity of water vapour depends on the temperature of the atmosphere Higher temperatures lead to more water vapour More water vapour leads to higher temperatures

8. Methane • Much less methane than carbon dioxide but methane can absorb much more energy (23 times more) • Natural sources are plant decomposition and animal digestion Ozone • Ozone in the troposphere acts as a greenhouse gas

9. Nitrous Oxide • Similar to methane in that there is a very small amount but that small amount can trap large amounts of energy (300 times more effective than carbon dioxide) • Natural sources are reactions of bacteria in soil and water Video: The Greenhouse Effect - Canada