Article 1
Pre-Writing:
What: The Greenhouse Effect
Who: PYP students & teachers
Where: Magazine or Newspaper?
Why: To give knowledge
Notes:
Refer to seesaw activity – greenhouse gases
Rough Draft:
Title options:
Delving Deep into Greenhouse Gases
The Hidden Truth of Greenhouse Gases
Earth Or Oven?
All You Need to Know About the Powerful Greenhouse Gases!
6 Polluting Greenhouse Gases
Who Else Wants to Know About Greenhouse Gases?
The Greenhouse Effect
-By Grade 4A students
Do you know what makes survival possible on Earth? Yes, it is the greenhouse effect! The
greenhouse effect is when the greenhouse gases create a layer around earth that trap some
of the heat from the sun’s rays. As a result, some of the heat is absorbed by the earth thus
keeping the earth warm. The three main elements in the greenhouse effect are the sun,
earth and the greenhouse gases. The greenhouse gases that trap the sun’s heat are water
vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4),
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), ozone (O3). Let’s dive into knowing all about the greenhouse
gases.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)- CFCs are fluorinated gases that not created in nature. That
means they are man-made gases. It is made up of chlorine, fluorine and carbon. This
harmful greenhouse gas damages our protective ozone layer. It is released from cooling
agents like air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. Undoubtedly, this is one of most harmful gas
and it could damage our environment.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)- N2O is natural greenhouse gas, and it is made up of two molecules
(parts) of nitrogen and one molecule of oxygen. It’s produced by bacteria in soils and
oceans. N2O is part of the nitrogen cycle. It is also a man-made gas that is released from
some types of factories, power plants, plant fertilizer, and fossil fuel combustion.
Ozone (O3)- Ozone is a natural and man-made gas that exists in two forms. It is made up of
three molecules of oxygen. One in the atmosphere where the planes fly, and the other form
on the ground. The ozone layer up in the atmosphere protects us from the harmful
ultraviolet rays. Close to the ground, ozone is a harmful greenhouse which is released by
burning fossil fuels like oil and coal.
Methane (CH4)- Methane is a natural and man-made gas that is made up of carbon and four
molecules of hydrogen. It is released from wetlands, growing rice, raising cattle, mining coal,
landfill, waste dumps, and traditional production of oil gas. It is the 2nd highest contributor to
global warming as it’s excess production leads to trapping more heat.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)- It is a natural and man-made gas that is made up of carbon and two
molecules of oxygen. In natural form, it is released from volcanic eruptions, decaying plants
and organisms. It also released from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. CO2 is
released from vehicles, smoke from factories, deforestation, wildfires, etc. CO2 is the top
most contributor to human caused global warming.
Water Vapor (H2O)- It is a natural gas that is made up of two molecules of hydrogen and one
molecule of oxygen. In the atmosphere, water vapour condenses back into liquid and rains
back on earth. It traps heat from escaping the atmosphere as warmer air hold more water.
As earth heats up, more water vapor can trap more heat.
To sum up, optimum greenhouse effect is required as it keeps our planet warm. Excess
emissions of greenhouse gases can be harmful and lead to global warming. Without
greenhouse gases, our planet would freeze and there would not be any survival. The right
amount of greenhouse gases makes our planet the only one with life.