BHINEBI. DBH 2 Citizens of the world : UNIT 1 handout 1.8.

The 20th century ended with an average global

temperature that was 0.6 degrees Celsius higher
than the start of the century.
Many people believe that the changes in the weather
are due to global warming.
The fact is that the Earth is warming up because
certain gases in the atmosphere are increasing,
particularly carbon dioxide and methane and CFC
chemicals. *

 Do you remember the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere from the dossier in
activity 4? . Complete the pie chart and colour it:

* CFC chemicals: Chlorofluorocarbons are synthetic chemicals used in freezers and refrigerators in order
to keep them cool. They are also used in aerosols and in some other things.

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BHINEBI. DBH 2 Citizens of the world : UNIT 1 handout 1.8.a

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps

the Earth at a temperature that is suitable for life. It is
created by gases in the atmosphere that absorb heat.
The problem is that the greenhouse effect is getting
stronger.

Several factors intervene in the greenhouse effect, some natural and some created
or at least augmented by human activity.

 Could you distinguish between natural and human created factors? Bear in mind that
some can be in both squares.

Factors caused by
Natural factors
human activity

Factors
contributing to the
greenhouse effect:

Solar radiation
Greenhouse gases
Deforestation
CFCs
Burning of fossil
fuels
Respiration

Eusko Jaurlaritza. Hezkuntza Saila. Ingelesa Edukinen Bitartez. Derrigorrezko Bigarren Hezkuntza 2
BHINEBI. DBH 2 Citizens of the world : UNIT 1 handout 1.8.a

Some rays are reflected The rest of the radiation

back to the atmosphere passes through the
atmosphere again and is
The Greenhouse effect is
lost in space
a natural process

Some radiation is absorbed and

Solar radiation passes reflected by clouds and the greenhouse
through the atmosphere. gases

The Earth gets warmer and radiates

heat back,

Half of the solar radiation is absorbed by the Earth,

warming it.

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BHINEBI. DBH 2 Citizens of the world : UNIT 1 handout 1.8.a

Script for the listening

The greenhouse effect process

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that in the last decades is getting stronger
therefore becoming a global problem.

The sun has been radiating energy for billions of years. The radiation of the sun travels
very fast and reaches the Earth atmosphere in 8 minutes. Some of this radiation passes
through the atmosphere. (1)

However, some of these rays are reflected back into space by the clouds and by
particles in the atmosphere or is absorbed by the greenhouse gases. (2)

About half of the total incoming radiation, is absorbed by the Earth’s surface. This has
the effect of warming the atmosphere and the ground. (3)

As the surface of our planet heats up and gets warmer, it radiates heat and radiation
back to the atmosphere. (4)

Some of this radiation is absorbed and reflected by clouds and the greenhouse and
other gases in the atmosphere. (5)

The rest of the heat and radiation passes through the atmosphere again and is lost in
space.(6)

This process of warming of the atmosphere, particularly the troposphere part of it, is
called the greenhouse effect and the gases that absorb the radiation are called the
greenhouse gases.

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BHINEBI. DBH 2 Citizens of the world : UNIT 1 handout 1.8.a

As we have seen the greenhouse effect is a natural process made worse by human
activity.
The diagram in the previous handout describes this process visually.

Tasks:

1 - Order the process by writing a number in each of the pink boxes, while listening to
the process
2.- Check with the script
2. - Write a sentence summarizing what happens in each part of the process.
3. - Prepare a diagram based on the one you have and write your own sentences
describing the process of greenhouse effect.

WRITING SUPPORT

 Read the script again

 The words underlined are called linkers and are used for:

 On your notebook make a list of theses linkers and look up in the dictionary the ones
you don’t know.
 Use them to link the sentences you have written to describe the greenhouse process
in your own diagram.

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