The Greenhouse Effect Essay

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The Greenhouse Effect



The greenhouse effect, in environmental science, is a popular term for

the effect that certain variable constituents of the Earth's lower atmosphere

have on surface temperatures. These gases--water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide

(CO2), and methane (CH4)--keep ground temperatures at a global average of about

15 degrees C (60 degrees F). Without them the average would be below the

freezing point of H20. The gases have this effect because as incoming solar

radiation strikes the surface, the surface gives off infrared radiation, or heat,

that the gases trap and keep near ground level. The effect is comparable to the

way in which a greenhouse traps heat, hence the term.


Environmental scientists are concerned that changes in the variable

contents of the atmosphere (particularly changes caused by human activities)

could cause the Earth's surface to warm up to a dangerous degree. Even a

limited rise in average surface temperature might lead to at least partial

melting of the polar ice caps and hence a major rise in sea level, along with

other severe environmental agitation. An example of a runaway greenhouse effect

is Earth's near-twin planetary neighbor Venus. Because of Venus's thick CO2

atmosphere, the planet's cloud-covered surface is hot enough to melt lead.


Water vapor is an important "greenhouse" gas. It is a major reason why

humid regions experience less cooling at night than do dry regions. However,

variations in the atmosphere's CO2 content are what have played a major role in

past climatic changes. In recent decades there has been a global increase in

atmospheric CO2, largely as a result of the burning of fossil fuels. If the

many other determinants of the Earth's present global climate remain more or

less constant, the CO2 increase should raise the average temperature at the

Earth's surface. As...

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