Greenhouse Effect Research Paper

BACKGROUND

The greenhouse effect is a term used by scientists to describe the way gases in the earth’s lower atmosphere trap infrared radiation (heat) emanating from the earth’s surface. This phenomenon is similar to the way a greenhouse traps and holds heat. Scientists are concerned that pollution and other environmental changes may cause the temperature of the earth’s surface to increase, resulting in the melting of the polar icecap, a rise in sea level, and other environmental dangers.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THESE CALL NUMBERS

363.7–363.7392

551.6

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

Greenhouse effect, Atmospheric

Global warming

Climatic changes

Pollution

USE PAMPHLET FILE (ALSO CALLED VERTICAL FILE) UNDER THE HEADINGS

Greenhouse effect, Atmospheric

Global warming

Ozone layer depletion

Air pollution

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

Facts on File

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 1992.

The New Book of Popular Science, Grolier, 1994.

Today’s Science on File. Facts on File.

General encyclopedias

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac

NewsBank and other newspaper indexes

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature

SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC
ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

America Online

CompuServe

Dialog

Internet

Prodigy

KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

Greenhouse effect

Global warming

Climatic changes

VIDEOTAPES ON THIS TOPIC

Global Environment. PBS Video, 1988.

Spaceship Earth: Our Global Environment. Worldlink, 1991.

FICTION BOOK RELATING TO TOPIC

Llywelyn, Morgan. The Elementals, 1993.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Greenhouse Action, P.O. Box 16743, Seattle, WA 98116–0743.

Greenhouse Crisis Foundation, 1130 17th St., N.W., Ste. 630, Washington, DC 20036.

National Science Foundation, 1800 G. St., N.W., Rm. 520, Washington, DC 20550.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Describe the impact of trees and forests on the greenhouse effect.

Discuss international efforts to reduce the greenhouse effect.

Examine how the greenhouse effect impacts sea level, the ozone layer, and/or plant life.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

Acid rain

Desertification

Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992

Gaia

Volcanoes

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.