What is global warming?

Global warming or climate change is the gradual increase of the average temperature of the Earth

The average temperature of the Earth's surface is around 59˚F or 13 ˚C.

Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere hold in heat

Without these gases, the Earth’s surface temperature would drop to around 0 ˚F.

atmosphere

Supplies gases required for life

Oxygen

Carbon dioxide

Offers protection from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation

Helps control Earth’s  temperature by trapping solar energy next to the surface

The Evidence

Before and after pictures of Montana’s disappearing glaciers

What is carbon dioxide and how is it discovered?

  Joseph Black, a Scottish chemist and physician, first identified carbon dioxide in the 1750s. At room temperatures (20-25 oC), carbon dioxide is an odourless, colourless gas, which is faintly acidic and non-flammable. Carbon dioxide is a molecule with the molecular formula CO2. The linear molecule consists of a carbon atom that is doubly bonded to two oxygen atoms, O=C=O.

Applications of carbon dioxide by humans

 Humans use carbon dioxide in many different ways. The most familiar example is its use in soft drinks and beer, to make them fizzy. Carbon dioxide released by baking powder or yeast makes cake batter rise. Some fire extinguishers use carbon dioxide because it is denser than air. Carbon dioxide can blanket a fire, because of its heaviness.

Carbon dioxide and health

      The primary health dangers of carbon dioxide are:
- Asphyxiation. Caused by the release of carbon dioxide in a confined or unventilated area. This can lower the concentration of oxygen to a level that is immediately dangerous for human health.
- Frostbite. Solid carbon dioxide is always below -78 oC at regular atmospheric pressure, regardless of the air temperature. Handling this material for more than a second or two without proper protection can cause serious blisters, and other unwanted effects. Carbon dioxide gas released from a steel cylinder, such as a fire extinguisher, causes similar effects.
- Kidney damage or coma. This is caused by a disturbance in chemical equilibrium of the carbonate buffer. When carbon dioxide concentrations increase or decrease, causing the equilibrium to be disturbed, a life threatening situation may occur.

Turn off your computer or the TV

              when you’re not using it.

Take shorter showers.  Heating water uses energy.

         Keep rooms cool by closing the blinds, shades, or

              curtains.                 

Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

                   Use compact fluorescent bulbs.

Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning up

               the air conditioning.  Or use a fan.

    Dress warmly when it’s cold instead of turning

    up the heat.

           Offer to help your parents keep the air filters on

           your AC and furnace clean.

     Walk short distances instead of asking for a

     ride in the car.

      Plant a tree.