GREEN HOUSE EFFECT

WHAT IS GREEN HOUSE EFFECT?

The green house effect  is the process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the
planet's surface to a temperature above what it would be without this atmosphere. A greenhouse is a
house made of glass that can be used to grow plants. The sun’s radiations warm the plants and the
air inside the greenhouse. The heat trapped inside can’t escape out and warms the greenhouse
which is essential for the growth of the plants. However, due to the increased levels of greenhouse
gases, the temperature of the earth has increased considerably. This has led to several drastic
effects.

HISTORY OF GREEN HOUSE EFFECT

The existence of the greenhouse effect, while not named as such, was proposed by Joseph
Fourier in 1824.

The argument and the evidence were further strengthened by Claude Pouillet in 1827 and 1838.

John Tyndall was the first to measure the infrared absorption and emission of various gases and
vapors. From 1859 onwards, he showed that the effect was due to a very small proportion of the
atmosphere, with the main gases having no effect, and was largely due to water vapor, though small
percentages of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide had a significant effect.

The effect was more fully quantified by Svante Arrhenius in 1896, who made the first quantitative
prediction of global warming due to a hypothetical doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

CAUSES OF GREEN HOUSE GASES

Burning of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are an important part of our lives. They are widely used in transportation and to produce
electricity. Burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. With the increase in population, the
utilization of fossil fuels has increased. This has led to an increase in the release of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere

Population increase

Population explosion in different parts of the world has caused enormous

pressure on existing resources, which is finite. Higher demand has caused a
substantial increase in manufacturing, causing greater emission of harmful
gases. 

 
Industrial Waste and Landfills
The industries and factories produce harmful gases which are released in the atmosphere.
Landfills also release carbon dioxide and methane that adds to the greenhouse gases.

Deforestation
Plants and trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Due to the cutting of trees, there is a
considerable increase in the greenhouse gases which increases the earth’s temperature.
EFFECTS OF GREEN HOUSE EFFECT

EFFECTS OF GREEN HOUSE EFFECT

Global Warming
It is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere.
The main cause for this environmental issue is the increased volumes of greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide and methane released by the burning of fossil fuels, emissions from the vehicles,
industries and other human activities.

Depletion of  Ozone Layer

Ozone Layer protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is found in the upper
regions of the stratosphere. The depletion of the ozone layer results in the entry of the harmful UV
rays to the earth’s surface that might lead to skin cancer and can also change the climate drastically.
The major cause of this phenomenon is the accumulation of natural greenhouse gases including
chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide and methane,

Smog and Air Pollution

Smog is formed by the combination of smoke and fog. It can be caused both by natural means and
man-made activities.
In general, smog is generally formed by the accumulation of more greenhouse gases including
nitrogen and sulfur oxides. The major contributors to the formation of smog are the automobile and
industrial emissions, agricultural fires, natural forest fires and the reaction of these chemicals among
themselves.

Acidification of Water Bodies

Increase in the total amount of greenhouse gases in the air has turned most of the world’s water
bodies acidic. The greenhouse gases mix with the rainwater and fall as acid rain. This leads to the
acidification of water bodies.
Also, the rainwater carries the contaminants along with it and falls into the river, streams and lakes
thereby causing their acidification.
Runaway Greenhouse Effect
This phenomenon occurs when the planet absorbs more radiations than it can radiate back. Thus,
the heat lost from the earth’s surface is less and the temperature of the planet keeps rising.
Scientists believe that this phenomenon took place on the surface of Venus billions of years ago

Greenhouse Gases 

The concentration of gases that lead to trapping of heat in the atmosphere is

known as greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases include –

 Carbon dioxide (CO ) 2

 Methane (CH ) 4

 Nitrous oxide (N O) 2

 Fluorinated gases like halons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons,

chlorofluorocarbons, nitrogen trifluoride, sulphur hexafluoride etc. 
 Did You Know?
 In spite of the damage caused by greenhouse effect and global
warming, in its absence, temperature of Earth may slide down to
almost -18° Celsius. 

PREVENTION OF GREEN HOUSE EFFECT

1. Conservation of Energy 

Conservation of energy can substantially cut down emission of greenhouse

gases. It is due to the fact that maximum industrial process and electricity
production is dependent on consumption of fossil fuel. Increased usage of
alternative or renewable energy will facilitate energy conservation. 

2. Afforestation 

Planned afforestation on a large scale will help in higher absorption of

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Barring at night, green plants absorb
carbon dioxide and release oxygen into air.  

3. Public Transportation 

Close to 30% of greenhouse gases are emitted by various modes of

transport. Developed public transportation system helps to reduce number
of automobiles that run of regular basis, eventually cutting down harmful
gases emission. 
 4. Policy Intervention 

There is a greater need for policy intervention by government both in terms

of framing appropriate regulations and enforcement. International
cooperation is important to make such policies a success.