Greenhouse gas emissions

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/greenhouse-gas-emissions

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is Greenhouse gas emissions known for?The energy sector accounts for approximately 73% of global greenhouse gas emissions
2. What is the cumulative emissions (1870-2022)?Total cumulative emissions from 1870 to 2022 were 703 GtC (2575 GtCO2)
3. What is a greenhouse gas and why does it make Earth warmer?Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun, like a blanket around Earth. Human activities add more of these gases, making the blanket thicker and Earth warmer.
4. Which gas is the biggest cause of warming and where does it come from?Carbon dioxide is the biggest gas. It comes mainly from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for energy.

Anthropogenic Emissions: Greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities.
Fossil Fuel Combustion: The burning of coal, oil, and natural gas to produce energy, releasing significant GHGs.
Deforestation: The clearing of forests for other land uses, which releases stored carbon and reduces carbon sequestration.
Carbon Footprint: A metric that measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, or product.