Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps the Earth warm. However, due to human activities, this effect is becoming stronger, leading to a rise in global temperatures — a phenomenon known as global warming.

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

• Sunlight enters the Earth’s atmosphere and warms the surface.
• Earth emits this energy as infrared radiation.
• Greenhouse gases like CO₂, CH₄, and water vapor trap some of this heat, keeping the planet warm.
• This is essential for life, but excess gases increase this warming effect.

Causes of Global Warming

• Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)
• Deforestation (reduces CO₂ absorption)
• Industrial emissions
• Agricultural activities (methane from livestock)
• Waste decomposition (releases methane)

Effects of Global Warming

• Rising global temperatures
• Melting glaciers and rising sea levels
• More frequent heatwaves, floods, and storms
• Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems
• Impact on agriculture and human health

How to Reduce Global Warming

• Use renewable energy sources
• Plant more trees
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Improve energy efficiency
• Adopt sustainable transportation (electric cars, public transport)

Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. It occurs when the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere—some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and water vapor.

However, due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrialization, the concentration of these greenhouse gases has increased dramatically, intensifying the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming.

Consequences of Global Warming

• Rising global temperatures
• Melting polar ice caps and glaciers
• Increased frequency of extreme weather events
• Ocean acidification and rising sea levels
• Disruption of ecosystems and biodiversity

Explore Related Topics

• Learn more about how air pollution contributes to climate change
• Explore how acid rain and greenhouse gases are related
• Understand the broader impacts of climate change on Earth

External Resources

• NASA Climate Change – Explore how NASA monitors global warming
• EPA – Understand greenhouse gas emissions in detail
• UN Climate Change – Global efforts to fight climate change

🌱 Want to learn more? Join us at CHEMASH for detailed lessons on environmental chemistry. Learn with CHEMASH

Conclusion

The greenhouse effect is essential, but excessive human activity is causing dangerous warming. We must take action now to protect our planet for future generations.

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🧠 MCQ Quiz: Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

1. Which gas is the major contributor to the greenhouse effect?
a) Oxygen
b) Carbon dioxide ✅
c) Nitrogen
d) Hydrogen

2. Which human activity contributes most to global warming?
a) Deforestation
b) Driving electric vehicles
c) Watching TV
d) Recycling plastic

3. What is a consequence of global warming?
a) Increase in snowfall
b) Rise in sea levels ✅
c) More oxygen in the atmosphere
d) Decrease in plant growth

4. How can we reduce global warming?
a) Use more fossil fuels
b) Cut down forests
c) Reduce carbon emissions ✅
d) Use more plastic