Greenhouse effect:

Warming of the Earth’s surface is a result of atmospheric pollution by gases. It is now

feared that the warming effects are being undesirably increased, causing climate changes
and melting polar icecaps.
This is a natural process in which some of the heat radiated from the Earth is absorbed in
the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide and water vapour, which re-emits the heat back
downwards to Earth. This atmospheric blanket of gases protects the Earth from violent
extremes of temperature by day and night, and is therefore an important factor for
supporting and protecting life on Earth.
Greenhouse gas:
A gas that contributes to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere by reflecting radiation
from the Earth’s surface.
a) carbon dioxide
b) CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) from aerosols
c) Methane from marsh gas and natural gas
d) Ozone
e) Nitrogen oxides/nitrous oxide
f) Water vapour
These gases are increasing in amount in the atmosphere, are able to absorb and re-emit
radiant heat from the Earth, and are believed to be factors in global warming.

Global warming
An increase in the world’s temperatures, believed to be caused in part by the greenhouse
effect
Possible effects of global warming
a) Increased crop yields (which will also be able to utilise higher CO2
concentrations), but insect pest populations might also increase and there might be
less soil water available.
b) In tropical areas of the world, decreased availability of water might lead to the
formation of deserts.
c) In coastal areas throughout the world, some melting of polar icecaps would result
in flooding.
d) Other predicted effects include the spread of tropical disease over a wider area,
increased frequency of droughts, hurricanes and cyclones, and also forest fires.
Acid rain
Rain that contains dilute acid derived from burning fossil fuels and that is potentially
harmful to the environment. It is due to-
a) sulphur dioxide from combustion of oil, coal gas, coal and smokeless fuels
b) nitrogen oxides from fossil fuels and petrol combustion
It affects
a) human – lung cancer
b) conifers – leaf fall and photosynthesis reduces
c) fish eggs – killed in acid water
d) corrosion of metals and buildings