Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect happens when solar radiation passes through a planet’s atmosphere and heats its surface, however, the atmosphere blocks the radiation from going straight towards vacuum, leading to a hotter climate. As per the greenhouse effect definition, the Sun’s light flows through the atmosphere of the Earth and heats its surface. The warmer surface then emits heat that is trapped by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The average surface temperature of the earth would be much below freezing if not for the greenhouse effect. A drastic increase in greenhouse gases created by humans traps more heat, forcing the Earth to overheat over time.

Causes behind Greenhouse Effect

Factories, vehicles, deforestation, are the primary sources responsible for the maximum emission of greenhouse gases. The growing number of factories and vehicles on the road increases the level of such gases present in the air. The greenhouse gas emissions never allow the heat or radiation to exit from the planet’s surface, hence raising the global average temperature. This ultimately leads to the occurrence of global warming.

The major causes behind the occurrence of greenhouse effect are as follows:

• Heavy Fossil Fuels Usage– 

Fossil fuels are crucially important to us. These are commonly utilized for transportation as well as in the creation of power. CO2 is emitted when fossil fuels are utilized or burned down. The utilization of fossil fuels has grown in tandem with population growth. Hence, greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere have increased.

• Farming – 

One of the major components responsible for the greenhouse effect in the air is nitrous oxide or N2O, which is utilised in fertilisers.

• Deforestation – 

Deforestation is a major contributor in the drastic increase of greenhouse effect because it reduces the release of oxygen as well as absorption of carbon dioxide by plants. Furthermore, when the wood is burned, the carbon that has been stored in it is released directly into the ecosystem.

• Industrial Waste –

Landfilling of industrial products and waste via processes such as coal mining, cement manufacture, or oil extraction, results in the creation of hazardous greenhouse gases.

Repercussions of Greenhouse Effect

The main consequences involving the greenhouse effect are the following:

• Global Warming – 

The Ozone Layer shields the planet from the sun’s dangerous UV radiation. It is abundant in the high stratosphere. The ozone depletion allows dangerous UV radiation to enter the planet’s surface, which can cause skin cancer as well as significantly modify the climate.

The buildup of greenhouse gases including CO2, chlorofluorocarbons, and methane seems to be the primary source of this phenomenon.

• Air Pollution and Smog – 

Fog and smoke combine to make smog. It can be brought on by either man-made or natural factors.

Smog is caused by the buildup of additional greenhouse gases, such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides. Industrial and automobile emissions, forest fires, agricultural fires, and the reactivity of all these substances amongst themselves are indeed the key factors contributing to the development of smog.

Precautions to Avoid Greenhouse Effect

• Afforestation – 

Large-scale afforestation would aid in the removal of Co2 in the atmosphere. Green plants take up CO2 and emit oxygen into the atmosphere, except at nighttime.

• Policy Intervention – 

There is a higher need for government policy action, both for developing proper rules and enforcing them. International collaboration is critical to the effectiveness of such measures.

• Energy Conservation – 

Energy conservation has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly. This is because the majority of industrial processes and power production rely on the use of fossil fuels. Energy conservation would be aided by the greater use of renewable energy.

• Increase in the Usage of Public Transportation – 

Various types of transportation emit over thirty per cent of overall greenhouse emissions. A well-developed public transport network contributes to a reduction in the number of vehicles on the road on a daily basis, ultimately reducing hazardous gas emissions.

Conclusion

The rising levels of greenhouse gases released into the air by urbanisation and human activities have disrupted the equilibrium which had been in effect ever since the ice ages. Increasing the level of greenhouse gases in the environment minimises the level of infrared energy departing the stratosphere. To restore the equilibrium state, the Earth’s surface needs to warm up, emitting more infrared radiation, most of which will escape into space and counterbalance the impact of the additional greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect is necessary for establishing the environment for life on this planet. But at the same time, it also seems to be at fault for the Earth being hotter in the present times than it was when mankind began burning vast quantities of energy.