Greenhouse Effect and Global Temperature Increase

The correct answer is option 'C': An increase in global temperature. The greenhouse effect refers to the process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap and re-radiate heat, leading to a warming of the planet. This effect is essential for maintaining a habitable temperature on Earth, but human activities have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases, leading to an enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming.

Understanding the Greenhouse Effect

1. What is the greenhouse effect?
- The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space.
- These gases, known as greenhouse gases, include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor.
- The greenhouse effect is crucial for maintaining the Earth's average temperature at around 15°C (59°F), making it suitable for life as we know it.

2. How does the greenhouse effect work?
- Sunlight enters the Earth's atmosphere and warms the planet's surface.
- Some of this heat is radiated back into space as infrared radiation.
- Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb a portion of this outgoing infrared radiation and re-emit it in all directions, including back towards the Earth's surface.
- This trapped heat warms the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, creating the greenhouse effect.

Human Activities and Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

1. What causes the increase in greenhouse gases?
- Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
- The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect.
- Deforestation reduces the Earth's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, further contributing to increased greenhouse gas concentrations.

2. Consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect
- The increased concentration of greenhouse gases leads to an intensification of the greenhouse effect, resulting in global warming.
- Global warming causes a rise in average global temperatures, leading to various impacts such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changes in ecosystems.

Conclusion

The greenhouse effect is responsible for an increase in global temperature, as the enhanced greenhouse effect caused by human activities leads to global warming. This warming has significant consequences for the Earth's climate system and ecosystems. It is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt sustainable practices to mitigate the impacts of global warming and ensure a sustainable future for our planet.