Geography Work,

a. What is Global Warming?

Global warming is known the increase of the average temperature on Earth. As the Earth's temperature increases, disasters like hurricanes, droughts and floods are getting more frequent.

Over the last 100 years, the average temperature of the air near the Earth´s surface has risen less than 1 degree Celsius. It is responsible for the increase in storms, floods and forest fires we have seen in the last ten years, say scientists.

Source taken from HERE.

b. What are greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases is tiny layer of gas around a huge bulky planet. But it is this gaseous outer ring and its misleadingly called greenhouse effect that makes life on Earth possible – and that could destroy life.

The sun is the Earth’s primary energy source, a burning star that we can feel its heat from over 150 million kilometers away. Its rays enter our atmosphere and shower upon on our planet. About one third of this solar energy is reflected back into the universe by shimmering glaciers, water and other bright surfaces. Two thirds, however, are absorbed by the Earth.

Source taken from HERE.

Part c and d :D

c. Causes of global warming.

Global warming is due to the increase in the atmosphere of greenhouse gas concentrations like water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. Greenhouse gases are those gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. The largest contributing source of greenhouse gas is the burning of fossil fuels leading to the emission of carbon dioxide.

Source taken from HERE.

d. Effects of global warming.

There are two major effects:

• Increase of temperature on the Earth by about 3 - 5 degrees Celsius by the tear 2100.
• Rise of sea levels by at least 25 meters by the year 2100.

More details about the effects of global warming:

Increasing global temperatures are causing a lot of changes. Sea levels are rising due to the thermal expansion of the ocean, in addition to melting of land ice. Amounts and patterns of precipitation are changing.

Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns increase the frequency, duration, and intensity of other extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and tornadoes. As a further effect of global warming, diseases like malaria are returning into areas where they have been put an end to earlier.

Although global warming is affecting the number and magnitude of these events, it is difficult to connect specific events to global warming. Most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming is expected to continue past then because carbon dioxide has an estimated atmospheric lifetime of 50 to 200 years.

Source taken from HERE.

Part e and f :D

e. Consequences of global warming,

On the weather:

• More powerful and dangerous hurricanes.

The warm water in oceans pump more energy into the tropical storms, making them stronger and more destructive.

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• Drought and wildfire.

Warmer temperatures increase the probability of droughts. Greater evaporation could increase drought conditions and the risk of wildfires.

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• Intense rainstorms.

Warmer temperatures increase the energy of the climatic system causing heavier rainfalls in some areas.

Source taken from HERE.

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On health:

• Deadly heat waves.

More frequent and severe heat waves result in a greater number of heat-related deaths.

f. Ways to reduce global warming in Hillgrove Secondary School.

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce waste by choosing the reusable items instead of the disposables.

2. Change of light bulbs.
Change light bulbs to energy-saving light bulbs.

3. Use less Air Conditioning.
Set timers where air-cons are always used. In the General Office and Staff Rooms.

4. Printing on both sides of the paper.
Print on both sides of the paper instead of one side.

5. Switch off lights and fans when not in use.
Switch off all lights and fans when not in use as these could save energy and prevent global warming.