At our distance from the Sun, the intensity of solar radiation is 1370 W/m2. The

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At our distance from the Sun, the intensity of solar radiation is 1370 W/m2. The temperature of the Earth is affected by the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere. This phenomenon describes the effect of absorption of infrared light emitted by the surface so as to make the surface temperature of the Earth higher than if it were airless. For comparison, consider a spherical object of radius r with no atmosphere at the same distance from the Sun as the Earth. Assume its emissivity is the same for all kinds of electromagnetic radiation and its temperature is uniform over its surface. (c) Why would an increase in greenhouse gasses such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane be cause for alarm?

Explanation / Answer

* The greenhouse effect is a warming effect caused by certain gases that retain heat from sunlight.[9] Without such gases, the average surface temperature of the Earth would be below freezing, and as explained by the Encyclopedia of Environmental Science, "life, as we know it, would not exist."[10] The global warming debate is centered upon whether added greenhouse gases released by human activity will overheat the Earth and cause harmful effects.[11] Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a generally "colorless, odorless, non-toxic, non-combustible gas." It is also: • the "most important anthropogenic" greenhouse gas and "contributes more" to the greenhouse effect than "any other gas" released by human activity • "vital to life," and "almost all biochemicals found within living creatures derive directly or indirectly from" it; and • "required for the photosynthesis of all plants." * CO2 is produced: • when animals, plants, and bacteria breathe, • by the "natural decay of organic matter," • by volcanic activity, and • "when any material containing carbon is burned," such as oil, coal, natural gas, or wood.[30] [31] [32] * Human activities currently release about 37 billion metric tons of CO2 per year, which equates to about 5% of natural CO2 emissions. Natural processes absorb the equivalent of all natural emissions plus about 57% of man-made emissions, leaving an additional 16 billion metric tons of CO2 in the atmosphere each year.[33] * Since the outset of the industrial revolution in the late 1700s,[34] the carbon dioxide concentration in Earth's atmosphere has increased by about 34%,[35] most rapidly from about 1960 onward: Earth's climate is changing. In the past 50 years, the average temperature in the United States has gone up by 2 degrees F, precipitation has increased by roughly 5 percent, and extreme weather events have become more frequent and intense, according to a recent report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Global warming doesn't just impact nature; your daily life is affected, too Green Living » Green Energy » Global Warming Global Warming Things in Your House That Cause Global Warming Greenhouse gases trap the sun's rays within the Earth's atmosphere and are considered one of the main culprits behind global warming. Humans contribute to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases -- notably carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide -- through deforestation, agriculture, energy production and waste disposal (see References 1). Several things used everyday in your home produce gases like these ... Deforestation & the Effects It Has on a Global Scale Deforestation is the "permanent removal of standing forests," as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines it. Although suburban sprawl, industry and agriculture still pose major threats, U.S. deforestation has somewhat stabilized, in part due to a wave of forest management and environmental protection laws enacted in the later decades of the 20th century. In many other countries, however, particularly those ... Global warming is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of Science as "an increase in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere," either by "human industry and agriculture" or by natural causes like the Earth has "experienced numerous" times "through its history."[1] * Some writers use the phrases "global warming" and "climate change" to mean temperature changes strictly caused by human activity.[2] [3] [4] Other writers use adjectives such as "man-made" and "anthropogenic" to distinguish between human and non-human causes.[5] [6] ("Anthropogenic" means "of human origin,"[7] and "AGW" stands for "anthropogenic global warming."[8]) * Just Facts adheres to Standards of Credibility requiring the use of language that is clear and precise. Hence, when human causes are stated or implied, we utilize terms such as man-made and human-induced. + Greenhouse effect How Does Global Warming Affect Daily Life? Earth's climate is changing. In the past 50 years, the average temperature in the United States has gone up by 2 degrees F, precipitation has increased by roughly 5 percent, and extreme weather events have become more frequent and intense, according to a recent report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Global warming doesn't just impact nature; your daily life is affected, too. (See References 1, page 27) Top Ways to Stop Global Warming Global warming refers to an increase in the average temperature of the Earth as a result of the greenhouse effect, in which gases in the upper atmosphere trap solar radiation close to the planet's surface instead of allowing it to dissipate into space. Both natural and human-made conditions can contribute to global warming, but human beings can do several things to reduce the effects. (See References 1) More Articles on Global Warming The Effects of Global Warming on the Human Body The consensus in the scientific community is that global warming is caused by human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. Changes attributed to global warming include rising temperatures, retreating glaciers, earlier snowmelt and an increase in heavy downpours. (See References 1, page 9) What is less talked about is the effect global warming has on the human body. In 2009, the U.S. Global Change Research Program presented a report to Congress that summarizes current and future impacts of climate change on the U.S., including how it directly affects humans.

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