Greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide, and methane, for example) trap energy from the sun. Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earth’s average temperature would be about 30ºC colder. Because of how they warm our world, these gases are referred to as greenhouse gases.
The first speculation that a greenhouse effect might occur was by the Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius in 1897, although it did not become a topic of popular debate until some 90 years later.
The term "greenhouse effect" may be used to refer either to the natural greenhouse effect, due to naturally occurring greenhouse gases, or to the enhanced (anthropogenic or manmade) greenhouse effect, which results from gases emitted as a result of human activities.
The increased amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing and agriculture, etc.) are the primary causes of recent Global warming
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[edit] What causes Green house effect?
Earth's life depends on the Energy of the sun. About 30 percent of the sunlight that beams toward Earth is deflected by the outer atmosphere and scattered back into space. The rest reaches the planet's surface and is reflected upward again as a type of slow-moving energy called infrared radiation.
The [Greenhouse gases] absorb the infrared rays coming out of the heat of the sun. The gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, ozone and methane slows its escape from the atmosphere.
- Methane Gas : Methane is a greenhouse gas that arises from human activity and natural sources. Nine percent of human-made greenhouse gas is methane. Methane can stay in the atmosphere for up to 15 years and retains 20 times more heat than carbon dioxide.
- Nitrous Oxide : Five percent of the greenhouse gas emitted in the U.S. is nitrous oxide. The agricultural sector and nitrogen fertilizer are major sources of nitrous oxide. This gas remains in the atmosphere for over 100 years and causes 310 times more heat retention than carbon dioxide.
- Carbon Dioxide : Inorganic compound, a colourless gas with a faint, sharp odour and a sour taste when dissolved in water, chemical formula CO2. Constituting about 0.03% of air by volume, it is produced when carbon-containing materials burn completely, and it is a product of fermentation and animal respiration. Plants use CO2 in photosynthesis to make carbohydrates. CO2 in Earth's atmosphere keeps some of the Sun's energy from radiating back into space
- Flourinated Gases : Flourinated gases are also called High Global Warming Potential gases, because they can retain up to 23,900 times as much heat in the atmosphere as the same amount of carbon dioxide. These gases represent two percent of greenhouse emissions in the U.S. Most flourinated gases are used as replacements for ozone-depleting gases that were outlawed under the Clean Air Act.
Although only about 1 percent of the Earth's atmosphere are make by greenhouse gases, they regulate our climate by trapping heat and holding it in a kind of warm-air blanket that surrounds the planet.
[edit] Unnatural Causes of Greenhouse Effect
There are some causes which are atmospheric or you can say they are natural. But there are some other reasons behind which are unnatural caused by humans :
[edit] Deforestation
The major reason of the greenhouse effect is deforestation. Deforestation is clearing Earth's forests on a massive scale, often resulting in damage to the quality of the land. Forests still cover about 30 percent of the world’s land area, but swaths the size of Panama are lost each and every year.
With the increase in population, more and more forests are being cut to provide accommodation and other amenities to people. This has led to an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
[edit] Burning of Fossil Fuels
Burning of fossil fuels, like petroleum and oil, wood and gas results in release of pollutants into the atmosphere. With time, the consumption of fossil fuels, be it for industrial purposes or consumer purposeshas increased and with it, the pollution levels in the world.
Burning of fossil fuels also effecting seas and oceans. Half the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels is actually winding up the oceans, says new research published in the journal Science. And that's threatening the health of the oceans and the diverse organisms living there, say researchers.
[edit] Population growth
The increase in population] is been indirectly responsible for the Greenhouse Effect. Due to the increasing population, the need for things like accommodation, clothes, cars, ACs, etc has increased drastically.
They also produce more waste, which again has an impact on land, waters, and air. Rising economy and industry also contribute to generating more pressure on the environment.
[edit] Industries
Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases that do not occur naturally, yet contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect. Aerosol cans, some foaming agents used in the packaging industry, fire extinguisher chemicals and cleaners used in the electronic industry contribute to this. Even some processes of the cement manufacturing industries can be counted amongst the culprits.
[edit] Automobiles
Automobiles, whether they run on petrol or diesel, create pollution and release harmful gases into the atmosphere. These gases, in turn, create the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere. The forever-increasing use of automobiles has only added to the problem.
[edit] Electrical Appliances
Electrical Appliances are also leading to greenhouse effect. Most of the households are using refrigerators, air conditions or some other electric appliances emit gases, known as Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), which have added to the greenhouse effect.
[edit] Fossil fuel alternative
It is becoming apparent that the world may not be able to survive with fossil fuels. This means that we must develop renewable sources of energy which are environmentally sustainable. Fortunately, we already posses the technology at hand to provide clean and reliable sources of energy for meeting human needs.
Renewable systems include solar photo voltaic power systems, solar hot water systems, wind turbines, biofuel plantations, hydroelectric systems and so on. These energy sources are sustainable because they never 'run out'.
Most importantly, many renewable energy sources, such as wind power and solar thermal, are already cheaper than conventional fuels-- even though the price of fossil fuels and nuclear power does not reflect their full environmental and economic costs.
The world needs a revolution in the use of renewable energy technologies.
[edit] Effects of Greenhouse gas
[edit] Global Warming
Greenhouse gases cause global warming. Our atmosphere is warming faster than many scientists predicted. The long-term consequences of an increase in the greenhouse effect that we can see from satellite images and research are the melting of the polar ice caps, increases in the average global temperature, migration and extinction of various species, and weather patterns are changing. We are experiencing more water shortages and we will see hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones increasing in ferocity and frequency. The deserts will expand and the world will ultimately have difficulty growing enough food. Without doubt, we have to change the way we live.
There are a few scientists who claim our earth is going about business as usual. The rate of climate change is now so fast we are struggling to adapt our philosophies, economics, and lifestyle to slow it down. We must alter the way we live or we will suffer staggering consequences.In dealing with global warming, we should at least adopt an approach based on the precautionary principle. "The precautionary principle states that if the potential consequences of an action are severe or irreversible, in the absence of full scientific certainty the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action."
[edit] Rise in Sea Levels
Due to Global warming there is some indications of rise in sea levels.
Glaciers and ice shelves around the world are melting . The loss of large areas of ice on the surface could accelerate global warming because less of the sun's energy would be reflected away from Earth to begin with (refer back to our discussion of the greenhouse effect). An immediate result of melting glaciers would be a rise in sea levels. Initially, the rise in sea level would only be an inch or two. Even a modest rise in sea levels could cause flooding problems for low-lying coastal areas. However, if the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt and collapse into the sea, it would push sea levels up 10 meters (more than 32 feet), and many coastal areas would completely disappear beneath the ocean.
The IPCC estimates that sea levels rose 17 centimeters (or about 6.7 inches) in the 20th century. Scientists project rising sea levels to continue through the 21st century, with levels increasing between 7 and 22 inches by 2100. The IPCC did not consider changes in ice flow in these projections due to a lack of scientific data. Sea levels will likely be greater than the range of projections, but we can't be sure by how much until more data can be gathered about the effect of global warming on ice flows.
Climate Change Plan We should have some climate change plan to slow down some adverse effect. The 3 Step Climate Change Plan is a dynamic way to reduce the impacts of global warming we are causing.
- Take Personal Action - There are many ways to reduce global warming, some very simple whilst others require a more focussed approach.
- Alert and Motivate Our Leaders - Most politicians and leaders will not act unless they believe a significant number of their constituency are supportive of their actions. If enough people show concern and communicate this concern, politicians are forced into action. Contact your local politician and ask what policies are in place to reduce carbon emissions in your country and what the government is doing to address climate change.
- Encourage Others - There is no question, we must act now! Just like you are undertaking these actions, encourage others to do likewise. We need to act locally but think globally to turn the tide, and wind back our carbon emissions. If each of us within our own home, neighbourhood, and town encourage each other to adopt practices that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions then we are taking the first steps to a better future.
[edit] Possible Solution
If greenhouse effect has causes then there may be some solution in preventing not all but some effects, then we should apply them in our daily routines to some extent.
There are some we should take care:
- Reducing use of fossil fuels would considerably reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced, as well as reducing the levels of the pollutants which cause acid rain. This can be achieved by either using less Energy altogether, or using alternative energy sources. You can help save energy in lots of ways:
- Turn off lights when you leave a room
- If you have a car, don't use it for short journeys
- Eliminating the use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is something we can actually do.
Since their introduction CFCs have been used as:
- Refrigerant in refrigerators and air conditioning units
- Propellants in aerosol cans
- Foaming agents in the production of packaging
- Cleaners used in the electronics industry
- Fire extinguisher chemicals
New refrigerants have been developed, and new Aerosol use other propellants such as butane, so it is now actually quite difficult to get hold of CFCs
Stopping deforestation by using renewable forests and planting a new tree whenever one is felled would help to raise the Carbon dioxide absorbing ability of the planet.
[edit] Will all the impacts of the greenhouse effect be negative?
The effects of global warming and climate change will not impact the same way upon every region in the world, or upon all species of life. For example, a slight temperature increase in some of the colder parts of the world may create less hostile conditions for human habitation and improve conditions for agriculture. Similarly, changing rainfall patterns may favour some species over others.
However, favorable consequences of the greenhouse effect] for some regions or species does not mitigate its overall negative global impacts. The social, economic and ecological disruptions brought about by climatic changes worldwide are projected to greatly outweigh regional benefits.
[edit] Prediction of Super-Computer for Greenhouse effect
Large swathes of the planet will be plunged into misery by climate change in the next 50 years, with many millions ravaged by hunger, water shortages and flooding, according to evidence published yesterday.
Findings from Britain's Hadley Centre for Climate Change presented to 170 countries in Buenos Aires show that parts of the Amazon rain forest will turn into desert by 2050, threatening the world with an unstoppable greenhouse effect.
Among the findings of Supercomputer] are:
- Land temperatures will go up 6C by the end of the next century.
- The number of people on the coast subject to flooding each year will rise from 5 million now to 100 million by 2050 and 200 million by 2080.
- Another 30 million people will be hungry in 50 years because it will be too dry to grow crops in large parts of Africa.
- An extra 170 million people will live in countries with extreme water shortages.
Malaria, one of the world's most dread diseases, will threaten much larger areas of the world - including Europe - by 2050.
