The Greenhouse Effect

• 31% of the Sun’s radiation is reflected back into space
• 20% is absorbed by the atmosphere
• Heat absorbed by greenhouse gases is radiated back to Earth, increasing the surface temperature of the planet.
• The remaining radiation is absorbed by the Earth’s lakes and oceans
• The greenhouse gases prevent the heat reflected from the Earth from escaping
• The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring effect that prevents our planet from falling below the freezing point of water (-18ºC)
• However, the increased quantities of greenhouse gases are further increasing the amount the Earth is warmed by the Greenhouse Effect
• Patrick J. Michaels has projected that global temperature will increase
• Earth’s warming can lead to the extinctions of many species, as researched by Niles Eldredge
• Due to changes in the species’ habitats through human activity (eg. excessive usage of natural resources)
• Melting of the ice in the Arctic and Antarctic
• Warming of the Earth’s oceans by 0.1ºC in the past century up to depths of 700 metres
• The increased heat will allow animals to move out of their habitats and into others*  

Michaels’ projection of increasing global temperature

*Increased Habitat

• An increase in temperature will allow many organisms to leave their habitats and live in others
• An intelligent creature, such as the rat, would take advantage of this
• As a species, rats already have a very large habitable area
• Black Rats in particular are able to survive in the USA, Europe, South America, Australia and Africa
• In addition to having a large habitat range, rats are also known to carry over 70 different diseases and act as potential hosts to disease carrying parasites which can be fatal
• When rats move out of their natural habitat, they become an invasive species in its new home
• Often times, invasive species will be without any natural predators and a rich food source, allowing populations to boom