GEOGRAPHY FIELD PROJECT REPORT
NAME: BEENE NGULULU
EXAMINATION NUMBER: 1632040048
SCHOOL: LWENGU SCHOOL
CENTRE NUMBER: 3242
PROJECT TITLE: LINKS BETWEEN GREENHOUSE
EFFECT AND GLOBAL WARMING.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
2. AIM
3. INTRODUCTION
4. OBJECTIVES
5. LITRITURE REVIEW
6. RESARCH PRESENTATION
(CASUES EFFECTS AND RESULTS)
7. EFFECT OF HUMAN ACTIVITES ON
THR Gh.E
8. FEATURE ARTICLE – LINKS
BETWEEN GLOBAL WARMING AND
THE OZONE LAYER
9. DATA PRESENTATION
10. PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS
11. CONCLUSION
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ACKKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my parents for their suggestions and
contributions. And last but not the least, my geography teacher,
Mr. Kadene for his guidance on how to conduct this project.
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Aim
To outline the impact of the greenhouse effect in
relation to global warming and the Links between
them.
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Introduction
Green House Effect is heating up of earth's atmosphere due to the
trapping of intra-red ray. (Reflected from the earth's surface) by the
carbon dioxide layer in the atmosphere is called green-house effect.
The green-house effect in the atmosphere occurs due to the presence of a
blanket of carbon-dioxide gas in the atmosphere. This blanket of carbon
dioxide gas in the atmosphere allows the sunlight to come in freely but
does not allow the intra-red radiation reflected by the earth's surface to
go out. It is just because the sun light can come in freely but the intra-red
rays cannot go out freely that the temperature of earth's atmosphere is
raised.
The rise in temperature produce gas in the by green-house effect on
earth's atmosphere depends on the amount of carbon dioxide gas in the
atmosphere. In other words, the proportion of carbon dioxide in
atmosphere affects the temperature of atmosphere. So, if the proportion
of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere increases, than the temperature
of earth's atmosphere will also rise further.
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OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this project are to
Outline the cause, effects and results to global warming
Explain the dangers of the greenhouse effect in relation to global
warming
Bring to attention the human activities that cause global warming
along with the greenhouse effect
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LITRITURE REVIEW
Global warming and greenhouse effect are the major environmental
issues catching the attention of everyone because of the clear climate
changes. Greenhouse effect is considered as the natural process however
going very fast nowadays and has become very serious because of some
human activities. Greenhouse effect caused by the greenhouse gases has
to do a lot with the global warming. Greenhouse gases are human
released gases through many activities like deforestation,
industrialization, use of electricity in every area of work, and so many.
There are some natural sources of releasing greenhouse gases however
they are in balance. There are many causes of the greenhouse effect.
Three of them are most common and major cause of greenhouse effect
which are CO2, water vapor, and methane. Water vapor is known as
natural atmospheric gas however highly strong to absorb sun rays heat.
80 percent of the total natural greenhouse warming is caused by the
water vapor and left 20 percent by other gasses. Carbon dioxide gas is
considered as the second biggest heat absorber on the earth which
absorbs heat from sun rays. The major reason of CO2 emission is human
activities affecting the level of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere.
Deforestation and fossil fuels burning are the main human made reasons
for CO2 emission. This continuous in carbon dioxide and other gases
causes earth’s temperature to increase and make it warmer than before.
Methane is more powerful than CO2 and can absorb 25 times more
infrared radiations. This gas is created by the biological activities like
digestive process of domestic animals, rice cultivation, leakage in
domestic and industrial gas lines, etc. according to the Environmental
Media Services Organization, it is found that only through the
greenhouse effect the earth’s surface temperature may increase by 6
degrees by the year 2100. Global warming is affecting the whole
ecological balance, sea level, corals reefs, marine life, plants, human
beings, etc.
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Causes of the Greenhouse Effect
1. Burning of Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas
have become an integral part of our life. They are used on large basis to
produce electricity and for transportation. When they are burnt, the
carbon stored inside them is released which combines with oxygen in the
air to create carbon dioxide. With the increase in the population, the
number of vehicles has also increased and this has resulted in increase in
the pollution in the atmosphere. When these vehicles run, they release
carbon dioxide, which is one the main gas responsible for increase in
greenhouse effect.
2. Deforestation: Forests hold a major green area on the planet Earth.
Plants and trees intake carbon dioxide and release oxygen, through the
process of photosynthesis, which is required by humans and animals to
survive. Large scale development has resulted in cutting down of trees
and forests which has forced people to look for alternate places for
living. When the wood is burnt, the stored carbon in converted back into
carbon dioxide.
3. Increase in Population: Over the last few decades, there have been
huge increases in the population. Now, this has resulted in increased
demand for food, cloth and shelter. New manufacturing hubs have come
up cities and towns that release some harmful gases into the atmosphere
which increases the greenhouse effect. Also, more people mean more
usage of fossil fuels which in turn has aggravated the problem.
4. Farming: Nitrous oxide is one the greenhouse gas that is used in
fertilizer and contributes to greenhouse effect which in turn leads to
global warming.
5. Industrial Waste and Landfills: Industries which are involved in
cement production, fertilizers, coal mining activities, oil extraction
produce harmful greenhouse gases.
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Effect of global warming
1. Melting of Glaciers
The melting of glaciers will create a plethora of problems for
humankind and the animals living on the earth. Due to increased
global warming, the level of the sea will rise which will lead to
flooding and this will, in turn, create havoc in human life. Apart
from raising the sea levels, it will also endanger several species
of animals and thus will hamper the balance of the ecosystem.
2. Climate Change
Irregular weather patterns have already started showing results.
Increased precipitation in the form of rain has already been
noticed in polar and sub-polar regions. More global warming
will lead to more evaporation which will cause more rains.
Animals and plants cannot easily adapt to increased rainfall.
Plants may die and animals may migrate to other areas, which
can cause the entire ecosystem out of balance.
3. Diseases
As the temperature becomes warmer, it can affect the health of
humans and the diseases they are exposed to. With the increase
in the rainfall, water-borne diseases are likely to spread
like malaria. The earth will become warmer and as result heat
waves are likely to increase that can cause a major blow to the
people.
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4. Hurricanes Frequency
As the temperature of the oceans rises, hurricanes and other
storms are likely to become stronger. With the increase in global
warming, the water in the ocean warms up and it heats up the
surrounding air, creating hurricanes.
6. The rise of Sea Levels
The melting of polar ice-caps and less water evaporating into the
atmosphere are causing increased sea levels. Quaint coastal
towns and cities near the U.S. east coast and Gulf of Mexico are
just a few areas where devastating flood damage is starting to
make its mark in history.
The greenhouse effcts results in global warming which means
that the two are interconnected and one leads to the other.
1. Melting of Glaciers
The melting of glaciers will create a plethora of problems for
humankind and the animals living on the earth. Due to increased
global warming, the level of the sea will rise which will lead to
flooding and this will, in turn, create havoc in human life. Apart
from raising the sea levels, it will also endanger several species
of animals and thus will hamper the balance of the ecosystem.
2. Climate Change
Irregular weather patterns have already started showing results.
Increased precipitation in the form of rain has already been
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noticed in polar and sub-polar regions. More global warming
will lead to more evaporation which will cause more rains.
Animals and plants cannot easily adapt to increased rainfall.
Plants may die and animals may migrate to other areas, which
can cause the entire ecosystem out of balance.
3. Diseases
As the temperature becomes warmer, it can affect the health of
humans and the diseases they are exposed to. With the increase
in the rainfall, water-borne diseases are likely to spread
like malaria. The earth will become warmer and as result heat
waves are likely to increase that can cause a major blow to the
people.
4. Hurricanes Frequency
As the temperature of the oceans rises, hurricanes and other
storms are likely to become stronger. With the increase in global
warming, the water in the ocean warms up and it heats up the
surrounding air, creating hurricanes.
6. The rise of Sea Levels
The melting of polar ice-caps and less water evaporating into the
atmosphere are causing increased sea levels. Quaint coastal
towns and cities near the U.S. east coast and Gulf of Mexico are
just a few areas where devastating flood damage is starting to
make its mark in history.
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Results of global warming:
1. Affect on Agriculture
Global warming can affect agriculture. Although the results are not
visible yet, it may show the effects in years to come. As the global
temperature will increase, plants will find it harder to survive and will
die. Plants are the major source of food for human beings and as a result
food shortage may occur. The shortage of food may lead to war and
conflicts in some countries.
2. Unexpected Heat Waves
If you thought last summer’s headlines of record changing temperature
was mind-blowing, just wait. Because of greenhouse gases and other
causes, unexpected streaks of severe weather are just the tips of the
iceberg in global warming. Heat waves cause dangerously hot weather
and in recent years, more deaths have occurred due to heat waves than in
the last sixty years.
3. Frequent Wildfires
While wildfires are a natural occurrence, with the added carbon dioxide
in the air, and hotter summers, the evidence speaks for itself. More
frequent wildfires continue to surface in vast amounts each year.
4. Severe Precipitation
Not only is there insurmountable scientific evidence that global warming
is increasing, but certain types of events, including extreme
precipitation, is also on the rise. Global warming also creates conditions
that can lead to more powerful hurricanes and summer storms. Cities
and towns on the coast, where sea levels are already rising, face even
more challenges as precipitation poses severe flooding.
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4. Longer/Shorter Seasons
Are you a lover of fall? Maybe spring is your favorite season. Whatever
weather and climate you enjoy, it could be happening sooner and
shorter, or later and longer. Global warming affects show spring is
occurring 10 days sooner than it has in the past. While it may be nice to
go from snow pants to shorts sooner, this could cause flooding from
reservoirs filling too soon, and droughts were there’s not enough
precipitation to provide adequate nourishment for crops.
5. Effect on Crops
If seasons are changing, weather patterns are going berserk, and flooding
is occurring due to rising sea levels, our crops are barely getting a
fighting chance. Once the food processing industry goes haywire, the
economy will really start getting interesting. The price of staple crops
could skyrocket causing major inflation and more economic woes.
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The contribution of human activities to
the greenhouse effect
Human activities contribute to the natural greenhouse
effect by being part of the carbon cycle, eating, breathing,
and so on.
Human activities contribute to the enhanced greenhouse
effect by burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas)
in industry, transport and the generation of electricity,
which releases carbon dioxide (CO ), and by
2
deforestation, which destroys the great forests that used to
remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Human activities contribute to the natural greenhouse
effect by being part of the carbon cycle, eating, breathing,
and so on.
Human activities contribute to the enhanced greenhouse
effect by burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas)
in industry, transport and the generation of electricity,
which releases carbon dioxide (CO ), and by
2
deforestation, which destroys the great forests that used to
remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
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Links between Ozone Depletion and the
Greenhouse Effect
The same gases which deplete ozone in the stratosphere contribute to the
'greenhouse effect' while they reside in the troposphere, or lower
atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which deplete ozone, are
currently estimated to contribute about 15% of the annual increase of
total global warming. Other so-called 'greenhouse gases' contribute the
remainder. Ozone exists throughout the stratosphere and the
troposphere, where it acts as a 'greenhouse gas'. Ozone can increase in
the troposphere as a result of ozone depletion in the stratosphere and as a
result of the emissions of manmade pollutants. Ozone in the troposphere
currently is a significant 'greenhouse gas' contributing 7-8% of annual
'greenhouse warming'. As ozone controls the temperature structure of the
stratosphere, ozone depletion could have an impact on climate—adding
to the changes brought about by the warming of the lower atmosphere
by 'greenhouse gases'. A general warming of the Earth's climate could
increase demands for air-conditioning, thereby increasing demands for
CFCs, emissions of which would further deplete stratospheric ozone and
amplify warming. Increased air-conditioning could also lead to an
increase in the emissions of carbon dioxide as a result of increased
demand for electricity generated by fossil fuels, further amplifying
global warming.
WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE 1735 New York Avenue, NW
Washington DC 2006
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Data presentation
illustration of the solar radiation on the Earth's surface caused by greenhouse gases
Atmospheric gases only absorb some wavelengths of energy but are transparent to others. The
absorption patterns of water vapor (blue peaks) and carbon dioxide (pink peaks) overlap in some
wavelengths. Carbon dioxide is not as strong a greenhouse gas as water vapor, but it absorbs
energy in longer wavelengths (12–15 micrometers) that water vapor does not, partially closing
the "window" through which heat radiated by the surface would normally escape to space.
(Illustration NASA, Robert Rohde)
By their percentage contribution to the greenhouse effect on Earth the four major gases are:
water vapor, 36–70%
carbon dioxide, 9–26%
methane, 4–9%
ozone, 3–7%
It is not possible to assign a specific percentage to each gas because the absorption and emission
bands of the gases overlap (hence the ranges given above). Clouds also absorb and emit infrared
radiation and thus affect the radiative properties of the atmosphere.
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Problems and limitations
Since the topic chosen under this project is a world phenomenon most
of the research done was from textbooks and the internet. Limitations
would have been absence of internet or no access to a library but
having access to both the project was produced without many
problems.
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Conclusion
Greenhouse effect is continuously altering the temperature of earth’s
surface. Such a huge alteration in the temperature causes earth to get
warmer day by day which results in the global warming. There are
many benefits as well as disadvantages of the greenhouse effect to the
lives on earth. In the absence of it, earth may get too cold and in the
presence of it, earth may get too hot. Both are the harmful to the
living beings so, it is required to keep it in balance.
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