Greenhouse effect
Posted on November 21st 2009
The greenhouse effect is a term that is commonly used to refer to the atmosphere’s impact upon the world environment and the warming effect it has on the planet as a whole. This can include both the detrimental aspects that are a result of modern-day global warming as well as the natural changes the planet faces throughout the centuries. To look at this in greater detail let’s first break down the greenhouse effect into two main categories: the natural benefits of the greenhouse effect upon the planet and the potential negative aspects that are being caused recently and have given rise to growing concerns.
In order to fully understand how the greenhouse effect has an impact upon us it is first important to understand what the greenhouse effect really is. The term “greenhouse effect” has been coined in order to refer to the natural occurrence that results from special gases collecting in the atmosphere that retain the heat on the planet that is generated from either the sun or some other source –- much like a greenhouse naturally retains heat and moisture to assist with plant growth. This effect was first discovered in the 1800s though not fully verified or experimented upon and explored until nearly the 1900s came round. Its is a naturally occurring instance that is intensified by various man-made emissions that helps regulate planetary heat by retaining some amount while allowing other heat to be radiated into space for dispersal.
Though it may be surprising to many people who have heard the greenhouse effect discussed quite openly on the news and other sources these days the greenhouse effect can actually have as much of a positive impact upon the world as it can a negative one. In fact, virtually all aspects of the greenhouse effect are more beneficial than not due to its impact upon the world ecology in general. What this means is that rather than being a detrimental aspect that is killing the planet the greenhouse effect is actually responsible for giving rise to much of the life that his present around the world and helps support all species in their development.
The reason for the greenhouse effects beneficial aspects to the planet primarily center around the fact that the greenhouse effect allows for the average temperature of the earth to maintain a solid higher level than it would otherwise. By successfully retaining heat within the atmosphere rather than allowing it to disperse completely the Earth’s average ground temperature can be maintained at a steady 14°C (or 57°F) — a much warmer temperature and the otherwise probable -18°C (or -0.4°F) that is the Earth’s natural “black body” temperature, or temperature without any heat retention by the atmosphere, that would be maintained should be greenhouse effect not be present. In short, it is because of the greenhouse effect that are able to enjoy the temperate climate that currently exists and allows us to live the way we do today. Should the heat fail to continue being contained within the atmosphere the Earth wound revert to an Ice Age, as has been seen happening throughout the course of the planet’s history via geological studies in places such as Antarctica and other regions.
Although the greenhouse effect is a natural occurring phenomenon that has existed throughout the entire course of the planet’s history there are a number of concerns existing to date over mankind’s impact upon this naturally occurring phenomenon and the possible negative side effects this could have. Through the process of creating additional “greenhouse gas” emissions through industrial and technological developments as well as the reduction of carbon dioxide consuming plants around the world through massive deforestation’s and general reduction of plant growth through development movements and urban expansion mankind as a whole has had a tremendous impact upon the naturally occurring greenhouse stability of the world.
One of the most notable factors that has contributed to the increase in greenhouse gases that are affecting the greenhouse effect worldwide is through the widespread usage of fossil fuels over the past 100 years. Because of the increased usage of these fuels and a number of other factors mankind has contributed to over 50% of the current levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are currently existing in the atmosphere and are causing the Earth’s temperature to increased substantially over time. What this means for us is that by continuing along the same path we have been doing we are running a high risk of causing the delicate temperate climate that currently exists on the planet to shift and therefore potentially have negative and potentially disastrous impacts upon the world as a whole.
The most notable threat of global warming comes in the form of the increased melting of polar ice caps and other freshwater formations around the poles. This melting not only affects the habitats of the wildlife that exists in these areas but also directly affects the ocean currents that are responsible for regulating temperatures in many locations and could have an adverse impact upon the actual climate stabilization worldwide.
What this means for us is that at this time unless we can regulate our own emissions to have as minimal effect upon the greenhouse gases as possible and help to stabilize the greenhouse effect that is granting us this temperate climate we may run the risk of adversely affecting worldwide climates and ecosystems and potentially throw the environment as a whole into a more unstable state that will have drastic repercussions upon all life on the planet as a whole. It is for this reason that many people around the world have been moving more and more towards alternative forms of energy in order to reduce the level of carbon emissions that are currently being used and are attempting to establish an ecological equilibrium that can balance out the greenhouse gases in order to form a ongoing, stable and functional environment for generations to come. If this can not be achieved in the future it is unknown for certain what may happen, however many experts believe this could contribute to the onset of an ice age or some other disastrous ecological event that could potentially pose a risk to all life as we know it.
