The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Climate ChangeFacts, Opinions, Debate and Action

Objectives

• MUST: recall some of the key facts of The Greenhouse Effect and Global warming

• SHOULD: be able to describe a number of ways of dealing with CO2 emissions

• COULD: be able to explain the challenges for society in tackling the issue of global warming and it’s potential effects

Facts

Facts

• CO2 is a greenhouse gas (the more there is, the more it traps Solar Energy)

Facts

• CO2 is a greenhouse gas (the more there is, the more it traps Solar Energy)

• Human Activities, mostly involving fuel use, add large quantities of CO2 to the atmosphere

Facts

• CO2 is a greenhouse gas (the more there is, the more it traps Solar Energy)

• Human Activities, mostly involving fuel use, add large quantities of CO2 to the atmosphere

• CO2 levels are increasing

Facts

• CO2 is a greenhouse gas (the more there is, the more it traps Solar Energy)

• Human Activities, mostly involving fuel use, add large quantities of CO2 to the atmosphere

• CO2 levels are increasing

• Average Global Temperatures are increasing

Average Temperatures

Temperatures

Levels of CO2 - Recent

Levels of CO2 - Historical

Is CO2 causing Global Warming?

Is CO2 Causing Global Warming?

Maybe, Maybe not?

Opinions or Arguments from Authority?

Opinions or Arguments from Authority?

• The Rise in CO2 levels is causing Global Warming

Opinions or Arguments from Authority?

• The Rise in CO2 levels is causing Global Warming

• Global Warming is responsible for Climate Change

Opinions or Arguments from Authority?

• The Rise in CO2 levels is causing Global Warming

• Global Warming is responsible for Climate Change

• Climate Change is responsible for the extreme weather in recent years

Opinions or Arguments from Authority?

• The Rise in CO2 levels is causing Global Warming

• Global Warming is responsible for Climate Change

• Climate Change is responsible for the extreme weather in recent years

• Climate Change will.....

What can be done? Should something be done?

What can Scientists do?

• Debate and Discuss• Use Arguments from Authority

• Find ways to reduce CO2:• Emissions - Energy Use• Containing and Reducing Atmospheric CO2

How to Reduce CO2

• Cut Emissions - Energy Efficiency, Restrictions on Energy use (Taxes on Cars?)

• Carbon Neutral – Plants trees, plants, to remove CO2

Arguments

• Deductive Arguments = reasoning from the general to the specific

• Inductive Arguments = reasoning from specific observations to a broader generalisation

• Arguments from Authority = Opinion offered by an expert on the basis of their knowledge...

• Arguments from Analogy = Reasoning based on percived similarities....

• Casual Arguments = These claim that something has happened as a direct result of something else occurring previously....

Climate Change – What can be done?

Tackling Climate Change

• Carbon Footprint

• Carbon Neutral

• Energy Efficiency

Tackling Climate Change

• Reduce Fuel Use

• Increase Energy Efficiency

• Reducing Deforestation / Planting more Trees

• Carbon Capture and Storage

Problems Associated with Tackling Climate Change

• Costly – Economic Slowdown

• Personal Demands and Comforts

• Demands for raw materials and expanding population