The burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming and climate change in several ways. Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy that come from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Examples of fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas. These fuels release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases when burned, which trap heat from the sun in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, are responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burned, contributing to the increase in greenhouse gas levels. Methane is another greenhouse gas that is released during the extraction and transport of fossil fuels. Human behaviors that contribute to the greenhouse effect include burning fossil fuels for transportation, heating, and electricity, as well as deforestation and industrial processes.
The greenhouse effect and global warming are closely linked. The greenhouse effect is the natural process that keeps Earth warm by trapping heat from the sun in the atmosphere. However, the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, is enhancing the greenhouse effect and causing Earth to warm at an accelerated rate. This phenomenon is known as global warming.
Global warming, in turn, contributes to climate change. As the Earth warms, it leads to changes in the climate, such as rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent and intense extreme weather events like hurricanes and heatwaves. These changes in climate have wide-ranging effects on the environment, including the melting of ice caps and glaciers, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystems.
To slow or reverse climate change, individuals and communities can take various actions. These include reducing reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, improving energy efficiency in buildings and transportation, promoting sustainable practices in agriculture and forestry, and advocating for policies that support climate action. Additionally, efforts to conserve and restore natural habitats, promote sustainable consumption and waste management, and educate and raise awareness about climate change are important steps towards addressing this global issue.
Read the article below and take notes.
Understanding Climate Change
In the past, Earth’s climate has had both warm and cool periods. Changes from one period to another were caused by natural events, such as Earth’s orbit changing or natural disaster like asteroid impacts and large volcanic eruptions. The last cool period ended about 11,500 years ago. Since then, Earth has been in a warm period, which has allowed humans civilizations to grow and thrive.
Effects of Climate Change Scientists studying climate change usually examine changes in average global temperatures. However, they must also examine changes in precipitation patterns and the frequency of severe weather, such as heatwaves or droughts. Some of these changes to Earth’s climate affect specific regions, like variation to El Niño in North and South America, while other changes affect the entire planet such as rising sea levels resulting from melting ice caps.
The Greenhouse Effect Keeps Earth Warm Earth is kept warm by a natural process called the greenhouse effect. This process traps energy from the sun in our atmosphere, which then acts like a giant greenhouse surrounding Earth. This “greenhouse” keeps Earth’s average surface temperature at a warm 59°F. Without the greenhouse effect, the temperature would drop to −0.4°F, or well below freezing.
The greenhouse effect works because of gases in the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. These gases trap heat from the sun in the atmosphere. Otherwise, this heat would escape into space.
Since around 1800, levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have been rising. This increase is due mainly to people burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Many scientists believe that the increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is causing Earth to warm. Scientists often refer to this as the enhanced greenhouse effect because the warming is happening at an increased rate because of human activity.
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Study the diagram below.
Energy from the Sun
This diagram shows what happens to energy from the sun once it enters Earth’s atmosphere. Some energy is absorbed by Earth’s surface. Some is reflected back into space. Some is trapped in a layer of gases that surrounds Earth. This trapped heat may be causing global warming.
Watch the two short videos below.
National Geographic: Global Warming 101
National Geographic: Climate Change 101
Fossil Fuels and Climate Change Portfolio
Use what you've learned from the article, the diagram and the two videos to write a short essay (1-3 paragraphs) describing how the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming and climate change. Your essay should include the following:
1. A definition and examples of fossil fuels.
2. Examples of greenhouse gasses.
3. Examples of human behaviors that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
4. The connection between the greenhouse effect and global warming.
5. The connection between global warming and climate change.
6. The effects of climate change on the environment.
7. Examples of actions we can take to slow or reverse climate change.
Please write your essay in the space below.
DONT MAKE IT SUPER LONG MAKE IT A DECENT LENGTH
3 answers
can u make it shorter but still have all the requirements
The burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming and climate change. Fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas, release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases when burned. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the greenhouse effect. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for transportation and energy, contribute to the greenhouse effect.
The greenhouse effect, enhanced by human activity, leads to global warming. As the Earth warms, it results in climate change. Climate change brings about various environmental effects, such as rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events.
To address climate change, actions can include reducing reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, practicing sustainable agriculture and forestry, and advocating for climate-friendly policies. Conserving natural habitats, promoting sustainable consumption, and raising awareness about climate change are also essential steps towards combatting this global issue.
The greenhouse effect, enhanced by human activity, leads to global warming. As the Earth warms, it results in climate change. Climate change brings about various environmental effects, such as rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events.
To address climate change, actions can include reducing reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, practicing sustainable agriculture and forestry, and advocating for climate-friendly policies. Conserving natural habitats, promoting sustainable consumption, and raising awareness about climate change are also essential steps towards combatting this global issue.