Greenhouse Effect

What Are Greenhouse Gases?

Word of the Week

Fossil Fuel

Fossil fuels are carbon-containing materials made from dead plants and animals that can be used for energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources.

Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are all fossil fuels.

Species Spotlight

Corals

Anthozoa ssp.

There are about 6,000 species of corals that live in warm, tropical ocean waters. Corals are made of tiny animals called polyps that all work together to help corals grow. Corals often live very close together in one area; we call this a coral reef. Coral reefs provide homes and hunting areas to thousands of species, including sea turtles, sharks, shrimp, sea snakes, and even whales. Humans also depend on coral reefs. Reefs protect shorelines and provide a healthy fish population for humans to hunt.

Unfortunately, coral reefs are in danger. The extra carbon in the atmosphere has also made the ocean more acidic, which causes the hard exterior of corals to weaken. The ocean temperature has also been warming with the atmosphere and corals are unable to survive in these warmer temperatures. As corals die, they lose their vibrant color, which has given these coral-dying events the name "coral bleaching." The easiest way to protect coral reefs is by reducing your carbon footprint!

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Conservation Corner

Ocean Acidification

When fossil fuels are burned, greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, but that's not the only place they end up! The ocean absorbs roughly one-third of the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere. As the amount of carbon in the ocean increases, the water becomes more acidic. Ocean acidity makes it hard for animals like crabs, snails, mussels, and even corals to build the hard shells they need for protection. As coral reefs die off, thousands of species that depend on reefs for food and shelter will struggle to survive. The ocean food web will be affected by the lack of fish around reefs and the decreased supply of crabs, mussels, and other shelled animals.

Humans will also be affected by these changes. The populations of fish we depend on for food will shrink, affecting the fishermen who rely on fish for their income and the millions of people who rely on seafood as a source of protein. With the destruction of reefs, communities that depend on money from ecotourism will lose income and coastal cities will be at greater risk of storm threats. All in all, ocean acidification is extremely problematic, not just for ocean creatures, but for humans, as well.

BRAIN BLAST

Pretend you live on a remote island that is a popular destination for tourists looking to scuba dive at the coral reefs around your island. You make your living by taking tourists to see the beautiful animals around the reef. However, the coral reef in your region has bleached, causing fish, turtles, and other reef animals to disappear.

Discuss (or record) how this coral bleaching event will negatively impact you and your community.

Quiz

Quiz Printable

Greenhouse Effect

Determine if each tile below is a result of the greenhouse effect by dragging them to the appropriate boxes.

Greenhouse Effect Printable

Greenhouse Gases Challenge

Observing the Affects of Greenhouse Gases

For this challenge, you will need...

2 identical glasses
Water
A gallon-sized plastic bag
10 ice cubs
A stopwatch
A sunny spot
Patience!

Fill each glass about halfway with room temperature water (make sure the water in the cups is the same temperature). Drop 5 ice cubs in each cup. Put one of the cups inside the plastic bag and seal it shut! Place the cups directly next to each other in a sunny window and start your timer. Record when the ice in each cup melts.

Beginner

As a group, discuss which cup warmed faster and why! How does this compare to the greenhouse effect?
Beginner
Expert

Record your data on the worksheet. Then, in 2-3 paragraphs, describe your observation. Which cup melted faster and why? How does this related to the greenhouse gas effect?
Expert

Glossary

Atmosphere

The layers of gases held in place by gravity that surround the Earth.

Climate Change

A change in global weather patterns as a result of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Effect

Heat from the sun trapped near the Earth's surface by harmful gases in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gas

A gas largely produced by burning nonrenewable resources that traps heat near the Earth's surface. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases are all greenhouse gases.

Fossil Fuel

Nonrenewable natural resources that were created from ancient dead plant and animal matter (that contain carbon) by extreme geological processes.

Nonrenewable Energy

Energy produced from natural resources that are replenished at a much slower rate than they are used. Some nonrenewable resources can take millions of years to form.

Ocean Acidification

The process of the ocean becoming more acidic (containing more carbon dioxide) as it absorbs excess carbon from the atmosphere.

Pollution

Toxins or other harmful substances that have entered the environment and are harming the natural world.

Renewable Energy

Energy produced from natural resources that are replenished at the same rate (or faster!) than we can use it. Wind and solar are common example of renewable energy.

Sustainability

The act of advancing as humans while working to have a positive impact on the natural world.