Middle School Life Science: Environmental Problems - Air Pollution — Flashcards

A major problem caused by air pollution is global climate change. Gases such as carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels increase the greenhouse effect and raise Earth's temperature.    
The greenhouse effect is a natural feature of Earth's atmosphere. It occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, radiate the sun's heat back down to Earth's surface. Without greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the heat would escape into space. The natural greenhouse effect of Earth's atmosphere keeps the planet's temperature within a range that can support life.    
The rise in greenhouse gases due to human actions, especially the burning of fossil fuels, is too much of a good thing. It increases the greenhouse effect and causes Earth's average temperature to rise. Rising global temperatures, in turn, are melting polar ice caps and glaciers. With more liquid water on Earth's surface, sea levels are rising.    
Adding more heat energy to Earth's atmosphere also causes more extreme weather and changes in precipitation patterns. Global warming is already causing food and water shortages and species extinctions. These problems will only grow worse unless steps are taken to curb greenhouse gases and global climate change.