Our Earth’s atmosphere is such that it maintains the right temperatures to keep it warm and sustain life. Greenhouse gases present in our atmosphere are responsible for capturing the heat from the sun and keeping our planet warm and inhabitable.
The natural process which we come to be known as the greenhouse effect was identified and defined in the 1800s. Without the effect of greenhouse, our planet would have been a frozen wasteland. So, the verdict is this process which happens organically is a good thing, right?
Well, too much of anything is never favourable and that is what is happening with the greenhouse effect. The voracious burning of fossil fuels for energy is artificially amping up this natural process. As a result causing global warming, changing our planet’s climate system.
In this post, we explore the greenhouse effect and identify the primary gases that contribute to this process. It is through understanding that we can take effective steps toward addressing global warming and its consequences.
Causes of Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect refers to the process where certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere traps the Sun’s heat. It is observed that about 30% of the light and heat from the Sun that reaches our planet gets reflected back to space.
The remaining is either absorbed by our atmosphere or the surface of the earth. A process that happens consistently and keeps the planet warm. The Earth’s surface then emits this absorbed energy as infrared radiation (heat).
While some of the infrared radiation continues on into space, a vast majority of it gets absorbed by the atmospheric gases which we know as Greenhouse gases. A portion of this heat is re-radiated back toward the surface, creating a warming effect.
But in the past century, the natural balance of this process is tipping due to higher concentrations of these gases. Therefore, making the Earth's temperatures increase.
How Do Greenhouse Gases Contribute to Climate Change?
Mankind is digging its own hole with activities like burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation for urban development and other reasons, industrial processes, etc.
These activities are increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The gases are contributing to climate change in following ways —
Rising Global Temperatures:
The levels of greenhouse gases are increasing which naturally trapping more heat. Therefore, leading to higher average global temperatures. In fact, it is observed by IPCC that between preindustrial time and now, the average temperature on Earth has gone up by almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels:
As the temperatures are warming up, the rate with which polar ice caps and glaciers are melting is also increasing. The result is rising sea levels. But that’s not all, it is also impacting the temperatures in ocean water making it rise.
Extreme Weather Events:
The climate is getting warmer which also intensifies weather patterns. This leads to more frequent and extreme weather events that include heat waves, droughts, and floods.
Disrupted Ecosystems & Natural Habitats:
Changing temperatures and precipitation patterns is disrupting the natural ecosystems of Earth. It is resulting in threatening biodiversity, shifting animals’ geographic ranges, seasonal activities, and migration patterns.
Ocean Acidification:
Excess carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in oceans, making them more acidic and harming marine life, such as coral reefs.
Climate change is impacting everything essential. Right from where we can live, how we work to how we produce our food. The consequences are far-reaching that not only our environment is suffering but also impacting human societies and economies.
Primary Greenhouse Gases and Their Sources
The greenhouse gases are only becoming lethal and influencing global warming depending on three crucial factors. These involve how much of the gas concentration exists in the atmosphere, how long the gas stays in the atmosphere and the efficiency rate of the gas in trapping heat.
There are many gases for greenhouse effect and the levels of impact of each gas vary depending on these factors. The primary greenhouse gases are —
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Source: Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes.
Impact: CO2 accounts for almost 80% of global human-caused emissions and remains in the atmosphere for quite a while. Once released into the atmosphere, 40% of it stays even after 100 years. It is a major driver of global warming.
Methane (CH4)
Source: Agriculture (especially livestock digestion), landfills, natural gas production, and wetlands.
Impact: While it remains in the atmosphere for 12 years around, which is much less than CO2, however, its potency in terms of greenhouse effect is much more. In fact, pound for pound, its global warming impact is almost 30 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Source: Agricultural practices (use of synthetic fertilizers), industrial activities, and burning fossil fuels.
Impact: N2O has a global warming potential nearly 300 times that of CO2.
Fluorinated Gases
Source: Industrial processes, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems.
Impact: These gases have extremely high global warming potentials, although they are present in smaller quantities.
Water Vapor (H2O)
Source: Evaporation from oceans, lakes, and rivers; human activities indirectly influence its levels by raising global temperatures.
Impact: Water vapor amplifies the greenhouse effect because warmer air holds more moisture, creating a feedback loop.
Conclusion
The importance of greenhouse effect cannot be overstated as it helps to keep the Earth’s temperatures favourable to sustain life. However, the reckless human activities are resulting in the release of more and more greenhouse gases leading to climate change.
If we don’t curb our actions then it will only cause more dire consequences. The effects of greenhouse gases must be limited by our own actions.
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