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While there are several factors that contribute to global warming, such as natural changes in the Earth's inclination and revolution around the sun, by far the biggest factor is the emission of greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, water vapor, and nitrous oxide are added at alarming rates to the atmosphere by daily human activity. Every person on Earth has a 'carbon footprint' - a measure of greenhouse gas contributed to the atmosphere on a daily basis. Some people's footprints are much higher than others; for instance, those that live in developed countries such as the United States (the largest greenhouse gas emitter), emit much greater amounts than those living in undeveloped countries of the world. Various activities, such as agricultural and deforestation practices, also emit greenhouse gases. "Greenhouse Gases" explores the very important role these gases play and their global impact on populations and ecosystems worldwide. The goal of this book is to provide readers with an understanding of the various sources of these gases, their interaction with the atmosphere, their effect on natural systems, and why controlling them is critical to the Earth's future climate. Other issues discussed in this new, full-color book include the role of the ozone and a newly discovered concept called "global dimming" and how it relates to global warming. The chapters include: The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming; Carbon Sequestration; Agriculture and Greenhouse Gases; Deforestation and Greenhouse Gases; Anthropogenic Causes and Effects; The Fate of Natural Refuges; Global Warming Around the World; and, Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change.
E-Book Content
Gl bal Warming
Greenhouse Gases
Gl bal Warming
Greenhouse Gases Worldwide Impacts
Julie Kerr Casper, Ph.D.
GREENHOUSE GASES: Worldwide Impacts Copyright © 2010 by Julie Kerr Casper, Ph.D. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information contact: Facts On File, Inc. An imprint of Infobase Publishing 132 West 31st Street New York NY 10001 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Casper, Julie Kerr. Greenhouse gases : worldwide impacts / Julie Kerr Casper. p. cm.—(Global warming) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8160-7264-4 (hardcover) ISBN 978-1-4381-2740-8 (e-book) 1. Greenhouse gases. 2. Global warming. I. Title. TD885.5.G73C375 2009 363.738'74—dc22 2009004727 Facts On File books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quantities for businesses, associations, institutions, or sales promotions. Please call our Special Sales Department in New York at (212) 967-8800 or (800) 322-8755. You can find Facts On File on the World Wide Web at http://www.factsonfile.com Text design by Erik Lindstrom Illustrations by Dale Williams Composition by Hermitage Publishing Services Cover printed by Bang Printing, Brainerd, MN Book printed and bound by Bang Printing, Brainerd, MN Date printed: December 2009 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction
1 The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming Discovery of the Greenhouse Effect Fourier, Arrhenius, and Callendar: Pioneers of Global Warming The Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Gases Global Warming Potential The Role of Ozone Global Dimming
2 Carbon Sequestration The Earth’s Carbon Cycle Sinks and Sources Types of Carbon Sequestration The Carbon Conundrum Modeling Carbon Emissions in the United States
3 Agriculture and Greenhouse Gases The Effe