Greenhouse effect refers to a condition that occurs when the Earth’s atmosphere traps the Sun’s heat, giving the Earth a similar effect of a greenhouse. Gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, collect the Sun’s heat then conceal them.
For that reason, these partly heat were absorbed instead of naturally being reflected back to the Earth’s atmosphere. This is why the Earth gets heated up year by year.
The Greenhouse effect surely will affect our current life and threaten the future generation. We can help reduce the risks we face by making ourselves aware about this.
Definition
Greenhouse effect causes some changes in the atmosphere that keep the heat within the planet, making the Earth warmer from time to time. It is often illustrated by the glasshouse for plants. The sunlight shines through the transparent walls and roof but the heat stays inside.
In 1824, Joseph Fourier was the first scientist to devise the concept of greenhouse effect, which he believed due to the atmosphere that the planet temperature is rising. He also explains this process is commonly natural to happen.
However, recent human activities, such as industrial progress and transportation, have intensified the greenhouse effect emission to the atmosphere.
Causes Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse gases include water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), ozone (O3), nitrous oxide (N2O), CFC (Chloro Fluoro Carbon) and HFC (Hydro Fluoro Carbon).
These gases were eventually needed to keep the Earth temperature comfortable. However, since the Industrial Revolution began, the amount of gases like carbon dioxide, methane and more harmful gases have increased in the atmosphere.
The greenhouse effect is consequently increasing once the gases build up, which mostly caused by:
Illegal logging and Forest Fire
As food resources, plants also work against the greenhouse effect because they require carbon dioxide and water vapor everytime they do photosynthesis. As a result of frequent illegal logging and forest fire, the woods are massively decreasing.
Excessive Use of Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels, like crude oil and coal, contribute to air pollution and increase the greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere.
Marine Pollution
Sea is by far the largest carbon dioxide sink. However, the industrial waste and garbage severely pollute the sea that kills most living-ecosystem, making it impossible for the sea to absorb the gases.
Farming Industry
Not only does non-organic fertilizer double the crop yields, its inappropriate use would harm the environment. The fertilizer is known to release greenhouse gases, like nitrous oxide (N2O) , to the air.
Household Waste
Unless the proper procedure was taken, the microbial waste generates methane and carbon dioxide.
Livestock Industry
The livestock waste, such as cow manure, is also a source of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). More waste means more gases are released to the open air.
Effects
Of course, greenhouse has both negative and negative effects, such as:
Negative Effects
- Unstable climate
- Rising water surface
- Ecological disruption
- Socially and politically effects
- Contagious diseases and malnutrition in countries with the worst drought.
Positive Effects
- Essential for the Earth ecosystem
- Adjust the Earth temperature for organism life
- People are more cautious and wise on fossil fuels and electricity use.
- A friendly reminder to us that trees and forest are the core of life
Solutions to deal with Greenhouse Effect
We can start with these actions to deal with them:
Save Electricity
Using less energy will contribute to lesser use of coal which emits carbon dioxide to the air.
Switch to organic fertilizer
Choose organic fertilizer with optimal rate to increase crop yields. Reducing the use of fertilizer equals to less N2O emission.
Use eco-friendly types of fuels
Consider installing solar panels and using electric fuel that are pollutant-free, reducing environmental impact.
Recycle animal wastes
Animal waste has significantly contributed to the greenhouse effect. Recycling the waste to biogas helps reduce carbon dioxide and methane emission. Biogas works as an alternate source of energy, replacing fossil fuel.
Promote reforestation
The plants will absorb both carbon dioxide and water vapor for photosynthesis. Reforestation is one good solution to tackle the gas emission in the atmosphere.
Reduce plastic consumption
Plastic contains polymer substances that are nearly impossible to decompose. It seems that the only way to reduce the plastic waste is to burn them. Unfortunately, it generates and releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide gas.
Scientists have been researching this greenhouse effect for years and have concluded that gases released from human activities, such as fossil fuels burning and deforestation, increased the temperature raised. This leads to adverse climate change, such as extreme climate change, ecosystem and environment damage.
In conclusion, it is an urgent matter to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve our environment for the future.