Climate Change
The Sun’s energy warms the Earth's surface, and as the temperature
increases, the Earth radiates heat energy (infrared energy) back into
the atmosphere. As this energy has a different wavelength to that coming
from the sun, some is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere.
There are four main naturally occurring gases that are responsible for
the Greenhouse Effect; water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous
oxide. Once these gases absorb energy, the gas particles begin to
vibrate and they radiate energy in all directions, including
approximately 30% of it back towards Earth.
As a result, the Earth's average surface temperature is kept at about
15C by the blanket of atmosphere that surrounds it. Without this, the
temperature would be about minus 18C - too cold for life. The gases keep
the Earth warm in a similar (but not identical) way as a greenhouse
keeps plants warm.
However, the amount of greenhouse gases being released into the
atmosphere has rapidly accelerated in recent times. When fossil fuels
such as coal, oil or gas are burned for energy, carbon dioxide is
released into the atmosphere, as well as other pollutants. An increase
in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere enhances the atmosphere's ability to
trap heat, which leads to an increase in the average surface temperature
of the Earth. Many scientists have warned that unless greenhouse gas
emissions are substantially cut, there will be an increase in the
incidence of abnormal weather patterns (drought, flooding, violent
weather), a rise in sea levels, an increase in the spreading of diseases
and food shortages, as well as a serious loss of biodiversity.
Economically developed countries account for just 20% of the world’s
population but the carbon emissions produced by the transport, homes and
industries of these countries in about 80% of the total emissions.
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