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Environmental Issues Environmental Issues Environmental Issues Climate Change It is thought that the Earth was first formed around 4 500 000 000 (4.5 The term 'climate change' can be billion) years ago. Since its formation used to describe how the Earth is the combination of the gases which getting warmer and this is causing make-up the Earth’s atmosphere has other problems. There are other changed significantly. At a certain problems which are also causing point in time the atmosphere began to damage to the Earth as we know it, change and life was able to develop. such as depletion of the ozone layer and global dimming, which are caused by different factors. Global Warming The greenhouse gas layer which surrounds the Earth is becoming thicker and is causing global temperatures to rise. This layer acts like a blanket and traps heat energy inside the Earth. It is a very important layer which creates a climate which allows life to exist. However, as the layer becomes too thick it traps too much heat energy and causes temperatures on Earth to be too high. The effect causes other problems on Earth such as flooding of areas close to or below sea level. The Atmosphere Depletion of the Ozone Most of the early atmosphere was Layer made from carbon dioxide and water vapour. However, since then the The ozone layer in the Earth's upper Earth's atmosphere has evolved to atmosphere protects us against how it is now which is mainly nitrogen harmful ultra violet (UV) radiation. and oxygen gases with much smaller Chemicals called amounts of a few other gases. This has 'chlorofluorocarbons' (also known as remained fairly constant for many CFCs) can react with the ozone and millions of years, but we now think make holes in the layer. One such certain human activities are causing large hole developed over Australia the amounts of some of these gases to and has led to an increase in the change. Other processes are also number of patients being diagnosed happening in the atmosphere which with skin cancer. These CFCs were are causing problems for Earth and its commonly found in fridges and inhabitants. aerosol cans before scientists had identified the problem. Nowadays these chemicals are not as widely ©Out of The Box 2016 Environmental Issues used because of the increased actually making another environment awareness of the problems which they problem get worse. A deal has been can cause. signed by over 150 countries in Rwanda, Africa which is being hailed Global Dimming as a monumental deal to phase out the use of these gases which are causing the temperature of the planet Particles of carbon, which are known to rise even further. as particulates, can collect in the Earth's upper atmosphere and could cause the temperatures on Earth to How can we help? actually decrease. A decreasing global temperature on Earth may There are many ways which humans change the forms of life which could can help to reduce the impact of their survive on Earth, particularly humans day to day activities on the Earth's who need high enough temperatures climate. Using cars less by doing short to survive. These particulates are journeys on foot or taking less flights released when fossil fuels are burnt could reduce the amount of carbon during incomplete combustion such as dioxide we release into the in factories or cars and lorries. atmosphere. Using renewable energy resources to generate electricity such as wind or solar. Buying products which are CFC free will reduce the amount of harmful chemicals which are reacting with the ozone layer. Solving one problem may have increased another… When CFCs were found to be causing holes in the Ozone layer scientists decided to replace them using ‘hydrofluorocarbons’ (also known as HFCs). So in the fridges and aerosols, which once contained CFCs, they now contain HFCs. However, as recently highlighted in October 2016, these compounds are actually contributing to the greenhouse effect and increasing global warming. So trying to combat one problem is ©Out of The Box 2016 Environmental Issues Worksheet 1) Look at the map of the world above. a) Find out where the country of Rwanda is located and label it with an ‘R’. b) What is the capital of Rwanda? 2) a) Find out and then explain in your own words how the ‘greenhouse effect’ on Earth works. b) Explain how ‘global warming’ is actually harmful to the Earth. 3 ) Produce your own factsheet which warns people about the potential dangers of global warming. You need to research and include the following information: Environmental problems Explain what can people do to reduce the environment impact ©Out of The Box 2016 .
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