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11 - 18 years > What causes climate change? > Greenhouse gases increase
WHY HAS THERE BEEN A RAPID INCREASE IN GREENHOUSE GASES?

Most scientists now believe this increase is due to human activity.

Our lifestyle demands lots of energy and creates lots of waste.

  • Carbon dioxide CO2 comes from burning fossil fuel [coal, oil] in power stations and in cars & lorries; CO2 is taken up and used by vegetation so burning and cutting down trees [deforestation] means more CO2 is left in the atmosphere.
  • Methane CH4 comes from farm animal dung, landfill sites, swamps
  • Nitrous Oxide N2O comes from power stations, vehicle exhausts, fertilizer
  • CFCs come from aerosols, fridges & air conditioning, foam packaging
Landfill site, Cardiff suburbs
Landfill site near Cardiff
© Photolibrary Wales




Try This!
Write a diary next week. At the end of the week tick all those activities which need energy e.g heat, light, television, cars, computers.

Do people all over the world use the same amount of energy? How did people in Wales live in the past? Did their way of life create as many greenhouse gases?

What have you thrown away recently? Where does it go? Can it be recycled? Do you have a recycling plan at school?
Facts:
Carbon dioxide CO2

  • Globally, clearing forests by burning trees has released about 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide CO2 into the atmosphere.
  • An area of Brazilian rainforest equivalent to the size of Wales was cut down in 2001.
            Related Sections:
The Greenhouse Effect So what's the problem? Human interference Greenhouse gas emissions in Wales Who produces greenhouse gases in Wales?