The Greenhouse Effect & Climate Change

What Is the Greenhouse Effect?

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. 

When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth, some is reflected to space as infrared radiation, and the rest is absorbed. 

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this radiation, preventing it from escaping back into space. 

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Methane (CH4)
• Water Vapor

This trapped heat helps to keep the Earth warm enough to support life.

 

Impact on Climate Change

The main driver of climate change is the greenhouse effect. As greenhouse gas emissions from human activities increase, they build up in the atmosphere, trapping more heat.

• Burning Fossil Fuels – Releases CO2
• Deforestation – Releases CO2
• Agriculture & Livestock – Releases Methane
• Landfills & Waste – Release Methane

This overheating leads to “Global Warming,” which causes:

• Rising sea levels
• Melting glaciers and ice caps
• Shifts in ecosystems and wildlife populations
• Extreme weather events
• Changes in precipitation patterns

 

Mitigating Climate Change

Mitigating climate change involves taking the following actions:

Transition to Renewable Energy: Shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power.

Sustainable Transportation: Use of public transportation, electric vehicles, biking, and walking to reduce emissions.

Afforestation and Reforestation: Plant new forests and restore degraded ones to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

Protect and Restore Ecosystems: Preserve and restore wetlands, peatlands, and other natural ecosystems that store carbon.

 

Fun Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the greenhouse effect:

• Venus has an intense greenhouse effect, making it the hottest planet in our solar system. Its surface temperatures are high enough to melt lead!
• The most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth’s atmosphere is actually water vapor.
• Earth’s average temperatures would be around 0°F (-18°C ) without greenhouse effect.
• Methane (CH4) is about 25 times more effective at trapping atmospheric heat than CO2 over a 100-year period.

 

Review

Let’s quickly recap what we learned about the greenhouse effect:

• What gas is most commonly associated with the greenhouse effect? Carbon Dioxide
• What greenhouse gas is produced by livestock and is more potent than carbon dioxide? Methane
• What is the main consequence of increased greenhouse gases on the climate? Global Warming
• What is the primary human activity that increases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? Burning Fossil Fuels