WHAT IS 'GREEN house effect?
Greenhouse effect is an atmospheric heating phenomenon in which the Earth experience rise in temperature due to green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane etc.
WHAT IS 'GREEN house effect?
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. It occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. This process is essential for life on Earth as it helps to maintain a stable temperature that is conducive to living organisms.
How does it work?
1. Greenhouse Gases: The main greenhouse gases responsible for the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. These gases allow sunlight to enter the Earth's atmosphere but trap heat that is radiated from the Earth's surface.
2. Heat Absorption: When sunlight reaches the Earth, some of it is reflected back into space while the rest is absorbed by the Earth's surface. The absorbed heat is then radiated back towards the atmosphere as infrared radiation.
3. Trapping of Heat: Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb the infrared radiation and re-emit it in all directions, including back towards the Earth's surface. This process effectively traps heat and warms the Earth.
4. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse effect is leading to global warming and climate change.
Impact on Climate:
- The greenhouse effect is responsible for maintaining the Earth's average temperature at around 15 degrees Celsius.
- However, human activities have intensified this effect, leading to an increase in global temperatures and disruptions in weather patterns.
- The consequences of these changes include melting ice caps, rising sea levels, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and shifts in ecosystems.
In conclusion, while the greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that is crucial for life on Earth, human activities have exacerbated it, leading to adverse effects on the planet's climate and environment. It is essential for us to take actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
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