Question

1. Misconceptions about the role of greenhouse gasses in climate change are almost as common as misconceptions about evolution. Usually, the misconceptions have a little bit of truth in them, but it is coupled with a misunderstanding. Take a look at the following misconceptions, choose one and discuss what is incorrect about that statement and what parts of it are correct. If you’re not sure what is wrong, just discuss what parts of it make sense to you.

a. Carbon dioxide destroys the ozone layer and lets in more sunlight, warming up the earth. More carbon dioxide emissions lead to a bigger hole and higher temperatures.

b. Carbon dioxide rises into the air because it is warm. The more carbon dioxide is released, the warmer the air gets causing global warming.

c. Light energy coming from the sun is absorbed by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the carbon dioxide sends the heat down to the surface of the earth, heating it up. The more carbon dioxide is released, the more heat is sent down to the earth’s surface.

d. CFCs are greenhouse gasses that destroy the ozone layer. As more CFCs are released, the ozone layer gets smaller and lets in more sunlight, causing the earth to heat up.

e. Ice usually reflects sunlight away from the earth and into space. Carbon dioxide causes ice to melt, meaning less sunlight is reflected and more is absorbed by the earth, further heating up the atmosphere.

f. Ozone is a greenhouse gas. When the ozone hole increases, it lets in more ozone. The ozone traps the heat radiating from the surface of the earth and keeps it from being lost to space, heating up the planet.

2. In many ways our actions can have a positive effect on the environment. Making these changes all at once can be overwhelming. But making one change at a time is quite do-able and can start you on a path toward making more environmentally-conscious changes in the future. Suggest one change in your habits or lifestyle that you feel willing and able to try making to reduce your impact on the environment.

Answer 1

(1)I am going to discuss about misconception (f)regarding ozone

It is true that ozone is a green house gas but it is a misconception that ozone hole lets in more ozone .Ozone is a layer of 3 oxygen molecules present around the earth to pritect it from harmful Ultraviolet rays of sun and ozone hole is created by the depletion of ozone layer by chloroflourocarbons.It is also true that ozone traps heat of earth bh absorbing some of the rays but not leading to heating up but keeping the planet warm.

(2)There are multiple ways of reducing impact on environment which we can do by changing our habits and one of them is avoiding use of plastic bags.Plastic is one of the most harmful thing for the environment.As it is a polymer it is almost non-biodegradable existing for millions of years in the environment and leading to harmful effects on soil,air,water and living beings.Using paper bags instead of plastic bags and recycling plastic items can be some of the habits for reducing its impact on environment.