PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast

The Greenhouse Effect Unpacked

November 05, 2020 Season 1 Episode 8
The Greenhouse Effect Unpacked
PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast
More Info
PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast
The Greenhouse Effect Unpacked
Nov 05, 2020 Season 1 Episode 8

Learn all the basics of geology in our new conversational textbook - campGEO!
Available here:
geo.campcourses.com

Join us as we discuss the science behind the greenhouse effect and how it all works.

In this episode, we talk about the forgotten history of the greenhouse gases.  The science behind greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and water is 200 years old.   What we began to understand two centuries ago came long before humans had any impact on the composition of our atmosphere and it certainly never occurred to Joseph Fourier and John Tyndall that humans could ever influence the greenhouse effect.  The discussion then turns to what scientists know about the greenhouse effect and, more precisely, how it works.  This natural phenomenon is a good thing as it makes our planet habitable by keeping it warm and preventing the oceans from freezing.  

We then turn our attention to the chemistry of burning fossil fuels using coal, natural gas, and gasoline as examples.  The main gases produced by burning fossil fuels are carbon dioxide and water.  We use this knowledge to talk about the carbon cycle.  By following Carbon atoms as they make their way through the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, we can clearly identify a Carbon cycle.  Specifically, we discuss a long carbon cycle (can take 100,000's of years for this cycle) and a fast Carbon cycle (years or even seasons).  Through this part of our discussion, we have only discussed what science has established as fact.  The greenhouse effect, the gases involved, and the ways Earth regulates Carbon in cycles is a good thing for our planet.  We can't help but point out that through continued Carbon emissions, humans will upset this balance.  In fact, we have a nearby example in Venus as a case study of a runaway greenhouse effect.  

We hope you enjoy this episode.  We sure had fun making it.  Cheers.

——————————————————
Instagram: @planetgeocast
Twitter: @planetgeocast
Facebook: @planetgeocast
Email: planetgeocast@gmail.com
Website: https://planetgeocast.buzzsprout.com/ 

Download the CampGeo app now at this link.

On the app you can get tons of free content, exclusive images, and access to our Geology of National Parks series.
You can also learn the basics of geology at the college level in our FREE CampGeo content series - get learning now!

Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating!

——————————————————
Instagram: @planetgeocast
Twitter: @planetgeocast
Facebook: @planetgeocast
Support us: https://planetgeocast.com/support-us
Email: planetgeocast@gmail.com
Website: https://planetgeocast.com/

Show Notes

Learn all the basics of geology in our new conversational textbook - campGEO!
Available here:
geo.campcourses.com

Join us as we discuss the science behind the greenhouse effect and how it all works.

In this episode, we talk about the forgotten history of the greenhouse gases.  The science behind greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and water is 200 years old.   What we began to understand two centuries ago came long before humans had any impact on the composition of our atmosphere and it certainly never occurred to Joseph Fourier and John Tyndall that humans could ever influence the greenhouse effect.  The discussion then turns to what scientists know about the greenhouse effect and, more precisely, how it works.  This natural phenomenon is a good thing as it makes our planet habitable by keeping it warm and preventing the oceans from freezing.  

We then turn our attention to the chemistry of burning fossil fuels using coal, natural gas, and gasoline as examples.  The main gases produced by burning fossil fuels are carbon dioxide and water.  We use this knowledge to talk about the carbon cycle.  By following Carbon atoms as they make their way through the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, we can clearly identify a Carbon cycle.  Specifically, we discuss a long carbon cycle (can take 100,000's of years for this cycle) and a fast Carbon cycle (years or even seasons).  Through this part of our discussion, we have only discussed what science has established as fact.  The greenhouse effect, the gases involved, and the ways Earth regulates Carbon in cycles is a good thing for our planet.  We can't help but point out that through continued Carbon emissions, humans will upset this balance.  In fact, we have a nearby example in Venus as a case study of a runaway greenhouse effect.  

We hope you enjoy this episode.  We sure had fun making it.  Cheers.

——————————————————
Instagram: @planetgeocast
Twitter: @planetgeocast
Facebook: @planetgeocast
Email: planetgeocast@gmail.com
Website: https://planetgeocast.buzzsprout.com/ 

Download the CampGeo app now at this link.

On the app you can get tons of free content, exclusive images, and access to our Geology of National Parks series.
You can also learn the basics of geology at the college level in our FREE CampGeo content series - get learning now!

Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating!

——————————————————
Instagram: @planetgeocast
Twitter: @planetgeocast
Facebook: @planetgeocast
Support us: https://planetgeocast.com/support-us
Email: planetgeocast@gmail.com
Website: https://planetgeocast.com/