4.14: Understand How an Increase in Greenhouse Gases Results in an Enhanced Greenhouse Effect and that this may Lead to Global Warming and its Consequences

GREENHOUSE GASES: Gases that Absorb Infrared Radiation from the Sun and Remains Trapped in the Earth’s Atmosphere, Causing Earth’s Average Temperature to Rise as a Result

ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT: Caused by the Increased Concentration and Effect of Greenhouse Gases

THE ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Diagram Showing How the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect Occurs

EXPLANATION: The Sun Emits Rays that Enters the Earth’s Atmosphere The Heat is Emitted Back from the Earth’s Surface Some Heat is Reflected Back Out into Space But Some Heat is Absorbed by Greenhouse Gasses and is Trapped Within the Earth’s Atmosphere so Causes the Earth’s Average Temperature to Rise as a Result

CONSEQUENCES: Climate Change due to Increase in Earth’s Temperature Water Levels will Rise as Glaciers will Melt because of High Temperatures Extinction of Species due to Inhabitable Environment Migration of Species as they will Move to Areas that are More Habitable (No Droughts) Spread of Diseases caused by the Cold Climate Loss of Habitat due to Climate Change (Animals that Live on Glaciers)