Topic 6 Global Warming
Notes Ch. 6
Read and know the following parts of the text. Use
textbook and internet research to answer the following
questions. Use Answer sheet.
6.1 – The Greenhouse Effect : IB Qs: 2,5,7a
 Occurs in Troposphere
 Greenhouse gases: CO2 , Methane (CH4) , N2O,
CFCs, O3 , H2O
1
1. Role of Greenhouse Gases in Maintaining Mean
Global Temperature pp. 261 – 263
NEED TO KNOW :
 p. 261 all
 p. 262 : top paragraph only ; be able to interpret the graphs

p. 263 : be able to interpret graph and the following text:
DEFORESTATION – INCREASES CO2
REFORESTATION – FORESTS – ABSORB CO2
2
2. Human Activity and the Greenhouse Effect pp. 264
– 265
NEED TO KNOW :


p. 264 : all
p. 265 : be able to interpret graphs
3
3. The Effects of Global Warming pp. 266 – 269
4
NEED TO KNOW : IB Qs : 7 b,c, 10 a

p. 266 : only the following

p. 267 - 268 : know all
5
4. IB Questions
1. This question refers to the data below.
Percent increase from 1750 to 1992
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous oxide
(Source: IPCC. Summary for policymakers of the contribution of working group I to the IPCC second
assessment report, 1995. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In WWF Data Bulletin on
Climate Change.)
These gases cause the Greenhouse Effect because they are
A.
more effective at absorbing long-wave radiation than other gases in the
atmosphere.
B.
more effective at absorbing short-wave radiation than other gases in the
atmosphere.
C.
produced by human activities.
D.
not broken down in the atmosphere.
2. The major greenhouse gases are
A.
nitrous oxide and acid rain.
B.
water vapour, carbon dioxide, ozone and methane.
C.
carbon dioxide, nitrogen and ozone.
D.
ozone, water vapour and chlorine.
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3. Methane is produced by
I.
bacterial activity.
II.
decomposition in landfill sites.
III.
digestive systems of cattle.
A.
I and II only
B.
I and III only
C.
II and III only
D.
I, II and III
4. What might be a consequence of a significant decrease in the amount of the CO2
in the atmosphere?
A.
The Earth becoming warmer
B.
A decrease in CFC levels in the atmosphere
C.
A rise in sea levels
D.
The Earth becoming cooler
5. Which list contains only greenhouse gases?
A.
Carbon dioxide, water and methane
B.
Methane, CFCs and sulfur dioxide
C.
Carbon dioxide, lead and methane
D.
Nitrogen, water and CFCs
7
6. The graph shows the variation in the concentration of atmospheric carbon
dioxide since 1970 at the Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii.
CO 2
concentration
/ ppm
375
370
365
360
355
350
345
340
335
330
2000
1995
1990
1985
1980
1975
1970
325
320
Year
[Source: C D Keeling and T P Whorf (2004), Atmosphere CO2 concentrations (ppm) derived from in
situ air samples, collected at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii]
What has caused the annual rise and fall of CO2 levels shown in the graph?
A.
Seasonal functions of ozone in the troposphere
B.
Seasonal depletion of ozone in the stratosphere
C.
Seasonal variations in photosynthesis
D.
Seasonal variations in the numbers and intensity of forest fires
7. (a) List three greenhouse gases.
(b) Outline one way in which human activities are changing the proportion
of one of these greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
(c)
State two possible effects of the changes in the total proportion of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
8
5. Feedback and Global Warming pp. 270 – 272
IB Q: 9
NEED TO KNOW : all EXCEPT the case studies
9
6. Pollution Management Strategies pp. 272-274
KNOW: Kyoto Protocol , carbon taxing and trading pp.
273-274 : IB Q : 11
10
NEED TO KNOW : all EXCEPT the case studies : IB Qs : 7 b, 10 b
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7. IB Questions
8. As a result of global warming, there could be increased
I.
snowfall at the poles.
II.
melting of polar ice caps.
III.
photosynthesis.
Which could produce positive feedback in the Earth’s climate system?
A.
I, II and III
B.
I and III only
C.
II only
D.
III only
9. Of what is the diagram below an example?
ice-caps melt
global warming
less energy refected
increased global temperature
A.
Negative feedback
B.
Positive feedback
C.
Steady-state equilibrium
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D.
10. a)
Static equilibrium 8806-64
As well as their direct impact on the atmosphere, the effects of fossil
fuel use are widespread. Discuss the range of effects of fossil fuel use
on the environment.
Specifically discuss : carbon dioxide /sulfur oxides/
nitrogen oxides/unburned hydrocarbons
(b)
Explain three management strategies that could be taken to reduce
these effects?
(c)
The average cost of petrol (gasoline) for automobiles is four times
higher in Europe than in the USA. Discuss the environmental
implications of this difference.
13
11. The graphs below show the top ten countries in terms of total carbon emissions
and emissions per capita.
Graph A: Total carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning for the top ten
emitting countries, in million tonnes (Mt).
1400
1200
1000
800
Carbon emissions (Mt)
600
400
200
Italy
Canada
Ukraine
UK
India
Germany
Japan
Russia
China
US
0
Graph B: Total carbon emissions (tonnes) per capita for the top ten emitting
countries.
6
5
4
Carbon emissions per capita (tonnes)
3
2
1
[Source: Brown, L. R. et al, State of the World, 1996, Earthscan.]
14
Italy
Canada
Ukraine
UK
India
Germany
Japan
Russia
China
US
0
(a)
Comment on the significance of these data.
(b)
Describe the Kyoto Protocol that aims to reduce the amount of carbon
emissions.
(c)
Describe the Carbon taxing and carbon trading that aims to reduce the
amount of carbon emissions
15
8. Arguments about Global Warming pp. 275-276
NEED TO KNOW :
16
17
18