Global warming is a rise in the average temperature around the world. This rise is mainly attributed to the greenhouse effect. This is the natural heating of the Earth’s atmosphere. Our atmosphere contains certain gases that help trap the heat (thermal energy) from the sun. Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and water vapor help trap this heat. Without these gases trapping the heat, it would be radiated back into the atmosphere causing the Earth’s average temperature to drop about 60 degrees. So the greenhouse effect is a necessary process that actually helps life exist on Earth. So why are we worried about the greenhouse effect?

Rising carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere are causing the problems. As the carbon dioxide levels rise so does the temperature of the Earth. If the carbon dioxide levels double, the average temperature of the Earth would rise from 1-3 degrees Celsius. That is enough to cause the polar ice caps to begin to melt. Scientists think some regions of the world might experience flooding. It would also cause climate shifts around the world. This change in climates could harm crops in many areas. But in Canada, weather conditions could improve and give Canada ideal farming conditions.

Human activity account for most of the rise in temperature. The Industrial Age has seen an increase in factories and automobiles. Some scientists say that emissions from fossil fuels account for 65% of the extra carbon dioxide that is collecting in our atmosphere. (Fossil fuels are petroleum based fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, and propane.) Cars, trucks, planes, heating our homes all contribute to the rise in the carbon dioxide levels. The EPA now says that our homes pollute more than our cars!

Another factor that may add to global warming is deforestation. Deforestation is the clearing of forests, or cutting down our trees. In the process of transpiration, trees (and all plants) take in carbon dioxide to make food and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Therefore every tree that is cut increases our carbon dioxide level and decreases oxygen.

How does the greenhouse effect work? The Earth’s atmosphere acts like the glass windows in a car, or the glass of a greenhouse. Think about how hot your car becomes on an 80 degree day when you leave the windows rolled up. The glass traps the energy from the sun, turns it into thermal energy and causes the interior of the car to get hotter. This is what happens with our atmosphere. Greenhouse gases allow sunlight to pass through the atmosphere but 26% is reflected back into space without ever reaching Earth. 19% is absorbed by clouds and the ozone layer. This leaves 55% of the sun’s energy to actually pass through the atmosphere. Of this only 4% is reflected back. The rest is trapped due to the greenhouse effect.

Obviously the greenhouse effect is important to life on Earth. Without it, Earth would be too cold for human life to exist. But this extra warming is beginning to cause problems for not only humans, but plants and animals as well.

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