Greenhouse effect

The world is a greenhouse. The role of the

atmosphere is to insulate and warm the surface of

the earth. The greenhouse effect is not a new

phenomenon. Humans can help reduce the

increasing greenhouse effect.

The atmosphere insulates and warms the surface

of the earth. Incoming solar radiation passes

through the atmosphere. The surface of the earth

absorbs some of the radiation. The unabsorbed

radiation is emitted back out in the form of infrared

radiation. Gases, such as, carbon dioxide,

methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor absorb

the reflected infrared radiation. These gases

re-emit infrared radiation, some of which the earth

absorbs. The greenhouse effect is the absorption

of infrared energy by the surface of the earth and

the atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect is not a new phenomenon.

The sun has always shone on the earth as far as

scientists can say. In addition, the earth has always

had an atmosphere. The atmosphere and the gases

in it have caught and trapped solar radiation since

time began. Life could not continue and would not

have started without the atmospheric gases

creating the Greenhouse effect.

Humans can help reduce the greenhouse effect. By

reducing the amount of gases released into the

atmosphere, humans can reduce the infrared

radiation, which causes the greenhouse effect.

There are several ways to control the amount of

gases released. Humans could take advantage of

the already existing bus, subway and train systems.

Carpooling is another way humans could reduce

the amount of harmful emissions gases released

into the atmosphere. Filling the gas tank and

mowing grass after the sun goes down are

additional ways to reduce the greenhouse effect.