The name greenhouse effect is usually associated with warming the Earth and climate change. But it is pivotal to mention that the very concept of the greenhouse effect is not unhealthy as it is in its nature and helps to maintain life on earth. Without it, our planet would have been a nice icy planet –because that is all that freezing would entail. Though this blog is not going deep in the negative impacts of greenhouse effect it analyzes the usefulness and its necessity for our very being.
What do you understand by Greenhouse Effect?
The Process where by certain gases in the atmosphere of the earth retain or trap heat received from the sun is referred to as the greenhouse effect. These gases are referred to as greenhouse gases and they are; Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), water vapour (H₂O), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ozone (O₃). Here’s how the process works:
Solar Radiation: The sun is the most famous source of this energy in the universe, sending its energy out in the from of solar radiation to the outer space and to the earth.
Absorption and Reflection: Approximately 30% of this solar radiation is reflected in the space by the clouds, ice and other reflecting surfaces. The rest 70 percent is taken by the earth surface thus heating the surface.
Infrared Radiation: The energy received causes the surface of the earth to warm up and in turn radiates the energy in form of infrared back to the space.
Trapping Heat: Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reflect some of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth surface back to the surface thereby warming the surface than it would be if the gases were not present
Why is Greenhouse necessary?
Maintaining a Livable Climate:
Due to the greenhouse effect, the average temperature of the Earth is 15°C (59°F) if this effect did not exist, the temperature of the Earth was about -18°C (0°F). This major difference that occurs depict that with no greenhouse gases our planet would be extremely cold, or in other words, it would be uninhabitable for most living organisms let alone humans.
Stabilizing Temperature:
The greenhouse effect assists in maintaining the temperature of the earth so that it does not go either very high during the day or very low at night. It also explains why stability for ecosystems and for many species is important.
Supporting the Water Cycle:
Thus water vapour, a component of green house gases, is a key participant in the water cycle. It plays a role in controlling temperature and is associated with such things as evaporation and the water cycle. Without it, we would not have the same patterns of rainfall and favourable weather all important in regional farming and the natural world.
Facilitating Photosynthesis:
Carbon dioxyde for plants, carbon dioxyde acts as foods for plants through photosynthesis, a process where carbon dioxyde coupled with sunlight synthesised glucose which is the food of plants and consequently, an indirect source of food to almost every organism on earth. The greenhouse effect also guarantees that, there will always be adequate amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere for this crucial process.
Influence of the Human Being on Greenhouse Effect
Though natural enhanced green house effect is beneficial for life on earth, various anthropogenic activities have further enhanced this effect causing global warming and climate change. Fossil fuel combustion, forest destructions and powerful industrial emissions have led to the increase of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere map which in turn enhances heat trapping thus raising the average global temperatures.
One needs to distinguish between the natural enhanced greenhouse effect that is bio-friendly and a good thing as form a part of the Earth’s natural climate system and the human induced enhanced greenhouse effect that is not bio-friendly and poses numerous challenges. Climate change is a global problem that requires the limitation of greenhouse gases to diminish the enhanced greenhouse effect, while preserving the natural one that provides life on our planet.
It is in actuality a natural biological process that serves as influence for the regular temperature within our earth to support various life forms. Being aware of its functions and significance makes it easier to realize the governmental task of preserving the planet’s climate and conditions. Although people need to fight climate change which is the result of their actions, we have to understand the role of the natural enhancement of the greenhouse effect. In this way, the need is being met of making efforts to achieve a harmonious and healthy existence for people and our world.
