Green House Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy
reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-
radiated by greenhouse gases.

Process of Green House Effect on Earth

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy
reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-
radiated by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, ozone and some artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth. This process maintains the
Earth’s temperature at around 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would otherwise be, allowing life on
Earth to exist.

The problem we now face is that human activities – particularly burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and
natural gas), agriculture and land clearing – are increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases.
This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, which is contributing to warming of the Earth.

Greenhouse effect

Step 1: Solar radiation reaches the Earth’s atmosphere – some of this is reflected back into space.

Step 2: The rest of the sun’s energy is absorbed by the land and the oceans, heating the Earth.

Step 3: Heat radiates from Earth towards space.

Step 4: Some of this heat is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth warm
enough to sustain life.

Step 5: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and land clearing are increasing the
amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

Step 6: This is trapping extra heat, and causing the Earth’s temperature to rise.

Green House Effect versus Planetary Albedo

Atmospheric scientists first used the term ‘greenhouse effect’ in the early 1800s. At that time, it was
used to describe the naturally occurring functions of trace gases in the atmosphere and did not have
any negative connotations.

It was not until the mid-1950s that the term greenhouse effect was coupled with concern over climate
change. And in recent decades, we often hear about the greenhouse effect in somewhat negative
terms. The negative concerns are related to the possible impacts of an enhanced greenhouse effect.
This is covered in more detail in the Global Climate Change section of this Web site. It is important
to remember that without the greenhouse effect, life on earth as we know it would not be possible.
 While the earth’s temperature is dependent upon the greenhouse-like action of the atmosphere, the
amount of heating and cooling are strongly influenced by several factors just as greenhouses are
affected by various factors.

In the atmospheric greenhouse effect, the type of surface that sunlight first encounters is the most
important factor. Forests, grasslands, ocean surfaces, ice caps, deserts, and cities all absorb, reflect,
and radiate radiation differently. Sunlight falling on a white glacier surface strongly reflects back into
space, resulting in minimal heating of the surface and lower atmosphere. Sunlight falling on a dark
desert soil is strongly absorbed, on the other hand, and contributes to significant heating of the
surface and lower atmosphere.

Cloud cover also affects greenhouse warming by both reducing the amount of solar radiation
reaching the earth’s surface and by reducing the amount of radiation energy emitted into space.
Scientists use the term albedo to define the percentage of solar energy reflected back by a surface.
Understanding local, regional, and global albedo effects is critical to predicting global climate
change.

Green House effect on higher altitudes

Temperature significantly effects the radiation of heat.  Colder objects radiate less energy, and the
Infra-Red absorbing molecules in the atmosphere are colder than the surface.  Therefore it is no
surprise that the Infra-Red absorbing molecules in the atmosphere radiate less energy to space than
they absorb from the warmer surface.  That difference is the essence of the greenhouse effect.

Green House Gases

A greenhouse gas (GHG) is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the
thermal infrared range. Some of the greenhouse gases which are naturally present in the
atmosphere are:

 Carbon dioxide (CO2)

 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
 Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)
 Per fluorocarbons (PFCs)
 Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels
(coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of
certain chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from
 the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological
carbon cycle.
2. Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural
gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices
and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
3. Nitrous oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities,
as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
4. Fluorinated gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and
nitrogen trifluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a
variety of industrial processes. Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as substitutes for
stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons,
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons). These gases are typically emitted in smaller
quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as
High Global Warming Potential gases (“High GWP gases”).

Consequences of rapid increase of greenhouse gases

The presence of greenhouse gases is like a blanket which covers the Earth’s surface by
protecting the emission of Infra Red rays from the Earth. Along with the rapid growth in
industrial activities in the 19th and 20th centuries, human activities have increased the level of the
presence of these gases within the Earth's atmosphere.
The natural greenhouse gases get mixed with the water vapour and act as a thermal heater for the
Earth, absorbing heat and warming the surface to sustain human life on the Earth. The natural
process does not change the temperature level suddenly. It takes years to have any significant
change in the climate. So the importance of maintaining the same level has become the need of
the hour.

The heavy presence of greenhouse gases results in Global Warming. Few synthetic gases in the
atmosphere block the heat from escaping while few spoil the natural gases present in the air.

Dispersion of these gases in more than the required amount may disturb life on the earth. One of
the major reasons for the absence of any life form on other planets is that they do not have
greenhouse gases.

Measures to reduce the effect of Global Warming

1. More fuel-efficient cars, vehicular pollution control and less usage of automobiles can reduce the
level of carbon dioxide.
2. Sensible and less use of home appliances like TV, AC, electricity, bulbs can reduce energy
consumption.
3. We can increase the use of energy alternatives like wind and solar energy which do not produce
any toxic waste and do not emit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
4. Tree plantation will be a big advantage which will balance the presence of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. Fast pace of deforestation for residential and commercial use of land is becoming a
serious threat to the existence of life.
5. Some scientific techniques have been proposed, such as the chemical removal of CO2 from
smokestacks. Deep underground reservoirs are invented. Though the benefit of this will be less
yet the effect of global warming can be reduced to some extent.
6. Disposal of carbon dioxide in the deep ocean where they will form a semi-stable compound
under the cold temperatures and high pressures will also be helpful.

Anti-greenhouse effect

An anti-greenhouse effect on a solar system body has been described, with the help of the
organically-rich,thick atmosphere on the moon Titan, which may help in basic studies of the
greenhouse effect on Earth. The study provides the first description of a greenhouse and anti-
greenhouse effect existing simultaneously, in tension with each other.

The study results define an anti-greenhouse effect that reduces Titan’s surface temperature by 16
degrees Fahrenheit.  The effect is produced by a thick, organic haze in Titan’s upper atmosphere that
absorbs solar light, but transmits reflected infrared radiation.Titan’s greenhouse effect, increases the
surface temperature by 38 degrees Fahrenheit.  The effect is caused by atmospheric gases reflecting
infrared energy back to Titan’s surface.  The surface temperature of Titan, minus 290 degrees
Fahrenheit, is therefore 22 degrees warmer than it would be without atmospheric effects.

Covid 19 Outbreak and its effect

The world has seen an average of a six percent drop in greenhouse gases amid the coronavirus
pandemic due to lockdowns and industry shutdowns. Although levels rose to new records this time
last year, the decrease is still not significant enough to halt climate change, the United Nation's
weather agency warns. Experts say that once the global economy starts to recover, emissions will
return to normal and continue to contribute to climate change. They also foresee a boost in emissions,
as many industries have stopped production altogether during the outbreak. Since the outbreak, many
countries have implemented stay-at-home orders and the shutdown of numerous businesses.

The decrease in human activity has caused a drop in carbon dioxide levels across the globe, including
major creators of the gas like India, parts of Europe and China. But Professor Petteri Taalas, World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General, said 'This drop of emissions of six per cent,
that's unfortunately (only) short-term good news.' 'There might even be a boost in emissions because
some of the industries have been stopped.' WMO recently published data to coincide with the 50th
anniversary of Earth Day, which was held Wednesday.

The data shows that from 2015 to 2019, levels of carbon dioxide were 18 percent higher than the
previous five years. The report notes that greenhouse gases remain 'in the atmosphere and oceans for
centuries. This means that the world is committed to continued climate change regardless of any
temporary fall in emissions due to the Coronavirus epidemic.' The forecasted fall in carbon emissions
is mirrored by decreases in levels of common air pollutants from car exhausts and fossil fuel energy,
such as nitrous oxide (N2O) particles. 'Their lifetime is typically from days to weeks, so the impact is
seen more rapidly', Taalas said. 'But these changes in the carbon emissions, they haven't had any
impact on climate so far.' He also noted that air quality dramatically improved in industrial cities. 'In
China, in India and also here close to us in the Po Valley in northern Italy, which is one of the most
polluted areas in Europe. And we have seen that also in individual cities like Paris.'

The WMO Secretary-General insisted that unless the world can mitigate climate change, it will lead
to 'persistent health problems, especially hunger and inability to feed the growing population of the
world and there would be also more massive impact on economics'. Since the first Earth Day in
1970, carbon dioxide levels have gone up 26 percent, and the world's average temperature has
increased by 33.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The planet is also nearly 34 degrees warmer than the pre-
industrial era - a trend that is expected to continue. In its latest report warning of the impacts of
climate change, the UN agency confirmed that the last five years were the hottest on record.
However, the warming has been uneven across the globe.

Europe experienced its hottest temperatures in the last 10 years, which were around 32.9 degrees
higher than the average, but South America saw the least change. There are other key indicators that
showed an acceleration of climate change in the past five years.These include ocean heat and
acidification, rising sea level glacier melt and Arctic and Antarctic sea ice shedding (with ice loss
five times higher in last five years, compared to the 1970s).