The rise in temperature that Earth experiences, due to the various gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane) in the atmosphere, that trap energy from the sun, is defined as The Greenhouse Effect. The gases that help trap the energy from the sun are referred to as Greenhouse Gases, which make up only 1% of Earth’s atmosphere. The Greenhouse Effect is a necessity to life on Earth, because without the gases that are present, Earth’s average surface temperature would be in the freezing temperature ranges, making living conditions on Earth nearly impossible. (View Diagram 1-1 Below)

Even though The Greenhouse Effect was not discovered until the 1800’s, it has been the major factor in keeping Earth’s surface warm for over 4 billion years. Over time, the gases released from the use fossil fuels and the release of man made gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), will cause the surface of Earth so hot that life will be no longer possible on Earth. This unnatural warming of Earth’s surface is referred to as Global warming.

Global Warming has a negative effect on Earth and is continuing to grow. Due to the extra heat being trapped by the manmade gases and additional Greenhouse Gases, polar ice caps and mountain glaciers are at risk of melting causing the ocean and sea levels to rise which will in turn flood coastal cities and regions. Global Warming can also cause abnormal weather conditions resulting in possible floods or droughts, which will have a major effect on the agricultural regions of the World.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT DIAGRAM 1-1

1 - The sun releases energy of which most of the radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and the rest is reflected by the Earth’s atmosphere.

2 - Some of the The radiation that is trapped by the Earth’s atmosphere is absorbed by the Greenhouse Gases and re-emitted in all directions throughout the lower atmosphere.  This is The Greenhouse Effect.