Question

Describe the Greenhouse Effect in your own words

Answer 1

We need to know what Greenhouse Effect is, what are its causes and effects. A greenhouse in general is a closed house made of glass which is used to grow plants under warm conditions. The sun’s radiations and the heat are trapped inside the greenhouse which is needed for the proper growth of plants. Just like a greenhouse for plants, there is a greenhouse-like environment built on the earth’s atmosphere.

Complete answer:
We need to know that the Sunlight during the day heats up the earth’s atmosphere. During the nighttime, the radiations are radiated back. These radiations instead of radiating back are absorbed by certain gases present in the earth’s atmosphere. These gases are known as greenhouse gases. This phenomenon is responsible for making the earth’s surface warmer for living beings to survive on earth. But increased levels of greenhouse gases make the earth’s surface intolerable for survival. This is known as the greenhouse effect.
We have to remember that the Greenhouse gases: The gases responsible for the greenhouse effects are mainly carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), ozone, nitrous oxide and other fluorinated gases. These are emitted mainly by industries, automobiles, refrigerators, and also as a result of deforestation.
Now we can discuss the causes of greenhouse effects: Trees and plants take up the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Due to deforestation, the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere responsible for the rise in earth’s temperature. Burning of fossil fuels for electricity and transport also releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Usage of inorganic fertilizers in farming such as nitrous oxide is a major contributor to greenhouse effect. Furthermore, landfills also produce methane gas along with industrial wastes. CFCs are released into the atmosphere through air-conditioning, refrigeration, etc.
Effects of greenhouse effects: Depletion of the earth’s ozone layer, air pollution, acid rain, global warming and smog are the major effects of greenhouse effects.

Note:
We must note that the greenhouse effect is a major concern with the rising temperature of the earth. With the melting glaciers and rising temperature every year, it has become a serious matter to be looked and acted upon. Using less air conditioning, refrigeration, using eco-friendly appliances, planting trees, and less usage of automobiles are some of the ways which the normal population can incorporate into their daily lives to reduce the greenhouse effects and maintain the earth’s sustainable temperature.