Global warming cases and effects notes grade 5
- 2. Main Cause 1: Fossil Fuel Pollution Fossil fuels are things we burn to get energy and include coal, oil and gas. These are burnt to make energy to run cars, power factories and make electricity. These fuels come from the ground and have taken millions of years to form. Because of this, there is only a limited supply of fossil fuels and we can’t make new fuel once we have used what we have. The trouble with fossil fuels is that when they are Oil is the main ingredient in plastic. The trouble with fossil fuels is that when they are burnt, they make CO2, which is a greenhouse gas.
- 3. Main Cause 2: Farming Methane is another greenhouse gas that we already have too much of. Methane is one of the gases that cows make by burping and trumping. So, the more we farm cows and the more cows we have, the more methane is made. The negative impact of methane in the atmosphere is 23 times worse than carbon dioxide! There are around 1.5 billion cows in the world… that’s a lot of methane!
- 4. Main Cause 3: Deforestation We know that plants and trees take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen during the process of photosynthesis. This makes them the perfect companions for humans on Earth as we take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide. More trees, would mean less greenhouse gases. However, forests are being chopped down at an alarming daily Fewer trees = more carbon dioxide = bad! Did you know? Palm oil is used in nearly half of products found in a supermarket from shampoo to pizza! chopped down at an alarming daily rate for cheap farming and also for the production of palm oil.
- 5. The Effects on Animals As forests disappear and the world warms up, many animal habitats are disappearing or changing for good. Ice in the Arctic and Antarctic is melting, affecting wildlife like polar bears, penguins and seals. It is predicted that by the year 2050, if nothing is done, we could see 20–30% of the animal and plants species on Earth becoming extinct. Orangutans are losing their rainforest homes.
- 6. The Effects on Humans Humans will not escape the negative effects of global warming either. As temperatures rise, the climate will change too. Weather will change and become more unpredictable. Something called the jet stream, which currently brings warm air to the UK, could be diverted and cause the UK to actually become colder! As ice melts, the seas and oceans will rise and this will cause places to flood and some parts of countries to A jet stream is found around six miles up in the atmosphere and is a channel of wind. They can be thousands of miles long and aeroplanes often fly through them, getting a little help along the way (if going in the same direction). will cause places to flood and some parts of countries to disappear underwater.
- 7. What Can We Do? There’s plenty we can do at an individual level as well as supporting change at a higher level. Have a think about what might help and then check some of our ideas below… Don’t waste water. Use less plastic. Look for sustainable labels on items, such as Don’t waste water. Use cars less and walk or cycle more. Create less rubbish. Keep up to date with the latest news. Recycle everything you can. Use less plastic. Keep up to date with the latest news. Look at how ‘green’ your diet is. Don’t leave electrical items on ‘standby’. Take your own shopping bags to shops. Look for sustainable labels on items, such as checking for sustainable palm oil.