Greenhouse Effect

Introduction :

A greenhouse is a house that has walls and roof made up of glass. It is popularly used to grow tomatoes,
tropical flowers, etc. A greenhouse remains warm even in winters because of its ability to trap heat and
release it during colder times. The earth experiences a similar type of greenhouse effect. When the sun’s hot
ultraviolet rays touch the earth, around 26% of it is reflected back into the atmosphere, and about 19% of it
is absorbed by clouds. The remaining energy is absorbed by the earth’s surface. The greenhouse effect is the
way in which the sun’s heat gets trapped in the earth’s surface, thereby keeping it warm.

Greenhouse gases like water vapour, carbon dioxide, ozone and methane are responsible for carrying out the
greenhouse effect. But due to human activities, there has been a splurge in the amount of greenhouse gases
being released into the atmosphere, which is causing the earth to be warmer. This is raising the temperatures
on our planet and making it very hot to live on. This substantial increase in the greenhouse effect has given
rise to global warming.

Causes of Greenhouse Effect :

The most prominent cause for the greenhouse effect is the burning of fossil fuels. We are primarily
dependent on fossil fuels like coal, petrol, oil, etc. for a number of things. All of the vehicles that we use for
transportation require fossil fuels to run. The carbon from them is released into the air and mixes with
oxygen, thus forming carbon dioxide, which is the major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Coal is still
used abundantly for the production of electricity.

Plants and trees take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. They
help to trap excessive carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere and release oxygen which is essential for the
survival of human beings and animals. But for various purposes like construction, humans have been cutting
down trees and forests recklessly.
There are two negative consequences of deforestation:-

• The earth now has lesser plants and trees to absorb carbon dioxide.

• When the wood from the trees is burnt, it releases all the carbon dioxide stored in it, back into the
atmosphere.

The considerable rise in population over the previous decades also has a massive role in increasing the
greenhouse effect. Due to an increase in demand for goods, newer industries and manufacturing hubs have
been set up. The factories are responsible for releasing harmful and unfiltered gases into the air, thus
aggravating the problem.

Consequences of Greenhouse Effect :

The greenhouse effect is responsible for causing global warming. This raises the sea levels. According to
statistics, our oceans and seas have already risen by 4 to 8 inches. Because of these rising water levels,
people living in the low land areas are forced to relocate and move to high land places. The rising sea levels
are also responsible for vast flooding. Because of the presence of excessive greenhouse gases, there have
been drastic changes in the earth’s climate as well.

Water is evaporating at a faster rate on land, and many countries like South Africa and Australia are already
facing severe droughts. The amount of area suffering from droughts has doubled since the year 1970, even
though there has been a 10% increase in the recorded annual rainfall. Extreme heat brings with it numerous
respiratory and cardiovascular problems. It increases the risk of infections and diseases such as dengue,
malaria and cholera.

Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Effect :

One of the easiest ways to reduce the greenhouse effect is by using less energy. Devices like lawnmowers,
cars, etc. require the burning up of fossil fuels, hence try to lower your dependence on them as coal is used
to produce electricity, attempt making use of alternatives such as wind energy and solar energy.

Try to limit your waste. Don’t purchase things that are not needed. This will help to decrease the energy
required to produce them, as well as reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released in disposing of them.
Try opting for greener and more environmentally friendly options. For example, instead of subscribing for
monthly magazines, opt for their online versions. This will help in the reduction of paper manufacturing.

Another way to decrease the effect of greenhouse gases can be by planting more and more trees. This will
help to absorb more carbon dioxide and release high amounts of fresh oxygen back into the air. Other ways
of reducing the greenhouse effect include using public transport, committing to recycling, consuming more
organic products, etc.