Instructional (Re)Design Project
- sjizzini
- Oct 7, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 2, 2020
Many different gases make up Earth’s atmosphere.
Nitrogen alone accounts for the majority go gases in Earth's atmosphere. Oxygen, in second place. Many other gases comprise the remaining 1 percent. Several (such as helium and krypton) are chemically inert. That means they don’t react with others. Other compounds act as a blanket for the planet. These have come to be known as greenhouse gases.
Explain
There are four main greenhouse gases to worry about. Skim through the titles before reading about each one. Some of these gases trap more heat, per molecule, then do others. Some also stay in the atmosphere longer than others. This is because each has different chemical properties. They also are removed from the atmosphere, over time, by different processes.
1. Carbon Dioxide:
Excess carbon dioxide comes mainly from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). Those fuels are used for many things such as transportation and electricity. It is the most gas released by human activities. It also stays around the longest.
2. Methane:
Methane is the main component of natural gas. It’s also released from a host of biological sources. These include rice production, animal manure, cow digestion and the breakdown of wastes put into landfills. Each molecule of this gas is much better at trapping heat than is one of carbon dioxide. But methane does not remain in the atmosphere as long.
3. Nitrous Oxide:
Nitrous oxide comes from agriculture, the burning of fossil fuels, and human sewage. This gas is present in small amounts, but it is hundreds of times more effective than is carbon dioxide at trapping heat. It can also stay in the atmosphere for nearly a century.
4. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs):
CFCs and their more recent replacements are all manufactured by people. Many have been used as refrigerants. Others are used as solvents for chemical reactions and in aerosol sprays. These gases are only removed when they get locked up in a high layer of the atmosphere. In the stratosphere, high-energy light hits these chemicals, breaking them apart. But that can take decades.
Define
The warming of Earth’s atmosphere is due to the buildup of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane. These heat-trapping pollutants are the cause of the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect also can occur in smaller environments. For instance, when cars are left in the sun, the incoming sunlight turns to heat, becomes trapped inside and quickly can make the indoor temperature a health risk.
You have two options. Choose one to view.
Observe 1
Each greenhouse gas, once released, rises into the air. There, it helps the atmosphere hold onto heat.
Human activities have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Like the windows in a greenhouse, these gases trap energy from the sun as heat, causing global warming.
Observe 2
Think
Where do buildup of greenhouse gases come from?
Human activities have been releasing extra greenhouse gases into the air. This causes a rise in average temperatures across the globe.
Solution
Many chemicals influence the climate, but greenhouse gases are the ones that we can control.
The UAE has installed solar farms as a source of energy rather than burning fossil fuels.
Explore
Research the ways in which you can help reduce the release of greenhouse gases. You can even come up with your own idea! Below are some resources you can use:
1. ThoughtCo.
Add your idea to the Padlet below. Make sure that your idea is different than the ones your classmates posted!
Feel free to write or create any form of artifact. I have posted an example.
Resources:
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