Global Greenhouse Effect and Climate
Overview:
In this lesson, students will speculate on various scenarios of future world climates if the
greenhouse effect increases.
Objectives:
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be familiar with carbon dioxide (CO2) and theories about its role in the greenhouse
effect;
read about the global conference that was held in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 to set
international limits on CO2 emissions;
know the leading producers of CO2 emissions;
understand the reasons for patterns of CO2 production;
understand the implications of the greenhouse effect; and
understand the processes of possible change in world climates.
REVIEW:
Causes of the greenhouse effect
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other gases are transparent to incoming sunlight,
allowing the heat from the sun to enter Earth's atmosphere. These gases trap the heat close to
the Earth's surface, warming the atmosphere. Fuel combustion is the largest human-made
source of carbon dioxide. Deforestation is the second largest human-made source.
Possible outcomes related to the greenhouse effect
From 1860 to 1994 carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose from 280 to more than 350 parts
per million. A network of scientists organized by the United Nations predicts that by 2100
continued emissions of carbon dioxide at current rates might raise global temperatures and
sea levels. Islands and shorelines could be inundated, climate zones could shift, and weather
could grow more turbulent.
Uncertainties
Due to the climate system's complexity, computer simulations of warming and its impacts are,
by nature, imprecise. Skeptics say that conclusions drawn from such simulations form a weak
basis for international action. Major uncertainties include the role of clouds in warming or
cooling the atmosphere and the role of oceans in absorbing atmospheric heat and carbon
dioxide.
Procedure:
Answer these questions…
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the present level of atmospheric CO2?
Why has carbon dioxide concentration risen since 1860?
What was the carbon dioxide level when you were born?
What was the carbon dioxide level when your parents where born?
Go to the following websites for data on approximate CO2 emissions…
1. http://cdiac.ornl.gov/ftp/ndp030/global.1751_2008.ems
a. Go to the above website and graph (line graph in your notebook) the CO2
emissions from the years of 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930,
1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
2007, 2008.
b. Add the projected amounts for 2009 and 2010 from below.
2. http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis/top2008.tot
a. Make a bar graph in your notebook of the top CO2 emitting countries.
Answer the following questions…
1. Is the rate of carbon dioxide emission a factor of population concentration? Why?
2. Are there any global patterns of emissions?
3. How do these patterns compare to what you know about the development of countries
around the world?
Closing:
1. After doing this research and looking at possible patterns, what implications might
increasing CO2 emissions have on our future global climate?
CO2 TOTAL
2008
2009
2010
1825039 1704015.212 1766393.327
Total North America
321007 313176.1373 330978.0484
Total S. & Cent.
America
1904627 1760851.784 1824201.722
Total Europe &
Eurasia
449010 466060.5838 489994.4814
Total Middle East
311196 317127.7749 325952.7042
Total Africa
3469006 3609078.605 3908982.989
Total Asia Pacific
8279885 8170310.097 8646503.272
8748000 8626351.489 9138791.143
sum of above
TOTAL WORLD