HUMANS AND THE ATMOSPHERE

The atmosphere and weather both influence human activities and are affected by them.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT = traps heat in the troposphere; increase in global temperature due to the worldwide spreading of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels; humans add heat trapping chemicals like carbon dioxide to the air enhancing the greenhouse effect;

OZONE = filters out most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation; ozone depletion

ACID RAIN = precipitation with a low pH (normal is pH 7 and acid rain is pH 4 or 5); sulfur coal burning emits sulfur oxides; motor vehicles emit nitrogen oxide;

PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG = brown air smog; chemical reaction set into motion by sunlight; gases from motor vehicles and hydrocarbons

INDUSTRIAL SMOG = gray-air smog; burning large amounts of coal and heavy oil; sulfur dioxide

How can humans protect the atmosphere?
1) use renewable energy sources
2) improve energy efficiency
3) reduce use of fossil fuels
4) regulate air quality
5) slow population growth
6) emphasize pollution prevention
7) others???