Information About the Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is when the earth's atmosphere rises in temperature due to greenhouse gases trapping energy from the sun, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When energy from the sun enters the earth's atmosphere some of it is absorbed by oceans and land while some of it is reflected back into space. Greenhouse gases prevent some of this heat energy from escaping into space. If there are more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, more heat will be trapped in the earth's atmosphere causing global warming.
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Considerations
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The main greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, according to the EPA. The most significant of these fossil fuels is carbon dioxide, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, because carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas that's released when fossil fuels are burned.
Misconceptions
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Greenhouse gases do not only have negative effects, but also provide the earth with many benefits, according to the EPA. Without greenhouse gases, more of the sun's energy would escape into space causing the earth's climate to be approximately 60 degrees colder. However, the release of too many greenhouse gases into the atmosphere results in the earth becoming too warm, which also has negative effects.
One misconception surrounding global warming is that global warming is natural and humans are not causing it, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.
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Cause
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Scientists around the world agree that humans are the cause of global warming, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas increase the amount of greenhouse in the atmosphere, according to USAToday. Fossil fuels currently account for more than 85 percent of the energy supply of the U.S., according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Burning of fossil fuels does not only increase the intensity of the greenhouse effect, but also reduces air quality.
Effects
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The main effect of the greenhouse effect is increased temperature of the earth's atmosphere or global warming, according to the EPA. Global warming has caused melting of the polar ice caps and higher sea levels, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Global warming is also resulting in an increase and frequency of severe weather conditions like hurricanes, typhoons, droughts, floods and heat waves.
Warning
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If cleaner energy sources like solar and wind power are not used instead of fossil fuels, more and more greenhouse gases will be released into the earth's atmosphere. This will result in stronger effects of the greenhouse effect and global warming which will cause further melting of the polar ice caps and an increase in sea levels worldwide causing coastal flooding, according to the EPA.
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References
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