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Article Series: Global Warming
Global Warming & Climate Change -
What Do I Need To Know?
The
Greenhouse Effect
You
have probably heard a lot about the greenhouse effect, but
maybe the concept remains a little fuzzy in your
consciousness. So what exactly is this so-called greenhouse
effect and what does it mean for you and the future of this
planet? The greenhouse effect simply refers to a natural process
that is part of the earth. However, because of the devastating
effects wrought by global warming, the greenhouse effect has
received a very bad reputation in recent years. With over 150
years of industrialization under our belt, the greenhouse effect
has gradually become a menacing prospect.
First, it should be understood that the greenhouse effect
is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the greenhouse effect
is a natural process that is necessary in order to sustain
life on earth. Basically, life on earth is sustained on planet
earth by energy received from the sun. However, much of the
sun that is reflected onto our planet is being deflected off
the planet and scattered back across space—at least 30 percent
of sunlight is beamed out into space to be exact. The rest
of the this sunlight eventually reaches the surface of earth,
but is then reflected back up to the atmosphere again as a
very slow energy known as infrared radiation.
The infrared radiation that is not carried away by air currents
is absorbed by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane,
ozone, and water vapor. This helps to slow its escape way from
the earth's atmosphere. Only about one percent of the earth's
atmosphere is made up by greenhouse gases. However, they are
very necessary in order to regulate the earth's climate. These
natural greenhouse gases help keep the earth warm enough to
sustain life. However, what happens when too many greenhouse
gases are released into the earth's atmosphere?
When
too many greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere,
global warming occurs. Although the greenhouse effect is certainly
a necessary and very essential part of our earth's environment
if it is to sustain human life, too much of it and there is
trouble. This happens when human activity produces too many
greenhouse gases and releases them into the atmosphere. Many
human activities just create too much activity, many more greenhouse
gases than the earth can possibly sustain.
What are some of the most common human activities that can
result in global warming, and which have become responsible
for the global climate change that we are currently experiencing?
The most common human activities that are the most responsible
for the effects of global warming include the burning
of natural gas, oil and coal. This includes the gasoline that helps run
your automobile.
Another common activity that can be responsible for too many
greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere include
many common farming practices and land use changes. Many of
these farming practices include many levels of nitrous oxide
and methane. Other activities include factories and industry
that have been responsible for producing long-lasting industrial
gases. Most of these industrial gases do not occur naturally
in nature.
Other
major factors that are responsible for causing the effects
of global warming includes deforestation.
Deforestation is one of the major causes for global warming
because trees help to
absorb many of the greenhouse gases released by the human activity.
However, deforestation means that many important allies—trees—are
no longer around to help absorb excess gases. Another factor
is population growth, which is also responsible for the release
of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Population growth
is a major factor because it means more people are burning
fossil fuels and releasing greenhouse gases into the environment.
Also, population growth has caused increased farming, which
has also helped increase the effects of global warming.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2007
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