Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. These gases absorb energy, warming the atmosphere. The absorbed energy warms both the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth. This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at around 330C warmer than it would be otherwise, enabling life to exist on Earth.
The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse gases emitted by human activity, such as landscape
changes and burning fossil fuels, are increasing the atmospheric concentrations
of greenhouse gases. Known as the enhanced greenhouse effect, more heat
is being trapped by these gases, resulting in higher temperatures in both the
lower atmosphere and on the Earth’s surface.
Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is
recognised as the greatest contributor to this warming climate, with an annual
contribution of roughly 40 billion metric tons per year. This is 60 times more
than is emitted by volcanoes each year.
Modelling the Greenhouse Effect
Construct a simple model of a greenhouse and investigate the
difference between the ambient air temperature and air temperature inside the
greenhouse. This AusEarthEd video on the GreenhouseEffect I: The Basics demonstrates one method to model this.
Can you think of other factors to test that will affect the
air temperature?
Where to now?
- Research further information about the greenhouse effect and investigate more activities at WASP.
- Find out more about the science behind climate at NOAA Climate.gov.
- Explore our local Australian climate through the Bureau of Meteorology
- Take action on climate change. Some ideas to get you started are in this AusEarthEd video Climate Change: Take Action.