What is Climate Change?

BUT….

• Earth is a very special planet – its orbits close enough to the sun to receive a lot of energy, but far enough away not to be scorched.

• To help keep the earth’s weather constant, our planet is wrapped in a layer of greenhouse gases.

• This layer acts like a blanket, keeping the earth warm and shielding it from the cold of universe. This is commonly referred to as the greenhouse effect.

• Carbon dioxide (CO2), is one of the important greenhouses gases, the other main ones are methane and nitrous oxides.

• Incoming solar radiation (INSOLATION) passes through the layer of greenhouse gases.

• Some of the heat is reflected back into space but some is trapped to warm our atmosphere.

• When fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas - are burnt they release CO2 into the atmosphere.

• C02 is released when forest areas are cleared, in industry and when using cars

• Methane is released in farming especially cattle farming• Burning coal to produce electricity

• Because of this the layer of greenhouse gas is getting thicker, which is in turn making the Earth warmer.

• Thus the ongoing unlimited burning of fossil fuels is the cause of climate change.

• In order to satisfy our endless hunger for energy we are burning unlimited quantities of fossil fuels.

Climate Change!

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