4.14 Enhanced Greenhouse effect

4.14 Enhanced Greenhouse effect

Understand how an increase in greenhouse gases results in an enhanced greenhouse effect and that this may lead to global warming and its consequences

Enhanced Greenhouse effect:

Pollution - molecules such as water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gases) increase their concentration in the upper atmosphere.

As a result the infrared light would re-emit towards the surface of the Earth rather than it being released back out into space.

This raises the average global temperature which is known as global warming

Consequences:

-melting of ice caps in polar ice caps

-deserts would expand

-raised sea levels

-change of ocean currents

-winds

-coniferous forest's distribution would alter

These all contribute to the main factor of climate change.  There would be changes in the world's distribution of Biomes- major vegetation ecosystems.