Greenhouse Effect and its Causes:
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, leading to an increase in the Earth's temperature. However, human activities have significantly contributed to the intensification of the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change.
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the gas that causes the harmful greenhouse effect.
Explanation:
The detailed explanation for the harmful greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide is as follows:
- Greenhouse Effect: The greenhouse effect is a phenomenon where certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping back into space. This trapped heat warms the Earth's surface and is essential for sustaining life on our planet.
- Greenhouse Gases: Greenhouse gases are the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted by human activities. It is released through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as deforestation and certain industrial processes.
- Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Human activities have significantly increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. This enhancement of the greenhouse effect leads to a rise in global temperatures, known as global warming.
- Consequences: The consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming include rising sea levels, melting polar ice caps, extreme weather events, shifts in ecosystems, and detrimental impacts on human health and well-being.
In conclusion, carbon dioxide is the gas that causes the harmful greenhouse effect. The increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, primarily due to human activities, leads to global warming and its associated consequences. It is crucial to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and adopt sustainable practices to mitigate the impacts of the greenhouse effect and combat climate change.