Module Notes: Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Climate change is often used to describe alterations to the world’s climate caused by human activities.
These activities include fossil fuel burning and deforestation, leading to increased greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere.

Recognize different greenhouse gases.
Distinguish the effects and impacts of these gases on the Earth’s atmosphere.
Define the greenhouse effect and global warming and their effects on the global climate.
List human activities contributing to climate change and global warming.
Evaluate the effects of these phenomena on different processes and living organisms on Earth.

The three most powerful long-lived greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Halogenated organic compounds (including CFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and ozone are also significant.
Water vapor is the single most powerful greenhouse gas, having approximately twice the effect of carbon dioxide.
Human activities do not significantly directly impact water vapor levels; however, global warming may cause an indirect impact.
Understanding the effect of global warming on atmospheric water is critically important.

Discussion of human impact on CO2 levels is complicated by:
- Human emissions being small compared to natural CO2 fluxes (photosynthesis, respiration, ocean exchange).
- Several large CO2 reservoirs (atmosphere, upper ocean, deep ocean, biosphere) continually exchanging CO2.
Instead of "source" and "sink," it is better to use "net source" and "net sink".
The atmospheric lifetime of CO2 is approximately 100 years.
Human activities lead to CO2 emission from fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and deforestation.
The atmospheric burden of CO2 is increasing, leading to the concept of the "missing sink," i.e.,