Acknowledgement ----------------------------------- 1 Contents------------------------------------------------ 2 Introduction-------------------------------------------- 3 How the Greenhouse Effect Works-----------------4 Greenhouse Gases-------------------------------------5 Impacts of Greenhouse Effect-----------------------6 Control Measures of Greenhouse Effect---------7-8 References--------------------------------------------- 9
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INTRODUCTION The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface and the lower atmosphere, it results in an elevation of the average surface temperature above what it would be in the absence of the gases. Solar radiation at the frequencies of visible light largely passes through the atmosphere to warm the planetary surface, which then emits this energy at the lower frequencies of infrared thermal radiation. Infrared radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases, which in turn re-radiate much of the energy to the surface and lower atmosphere. The mechanism is named after the effect of solar radiation passing through glass and warming a greenhouse, but the way it retains heat is fundamentally different as a greenhouse works by reducing airflow, isolating the warm air inside the structure so that heat is not lost by convection.
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HOW THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT WORKS The Earth receives energy from the Sun in the form UV, visible, and near IR radiation, most of which passes through the atmosphere without being absorbed. Of the total amount of energy available at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), about 50% is absorbed at the Earth's surface. Because it is warm, the surface radiates far IR thermal radiation that consists of wavelengths that are predominantly much longer than the wavelengths that were absorbed (the overlap between the incident solar spectrum and the terrestrial thermal spectrum is small enough to be neglected for most purposes). Most of this thermal radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and re-radiated both upwards and downwards; that radiated downwards is absorbed by the Earth's surface. This trapping of long-wavelength thermal radiation leads to a higher equilibrium temperature than if the atmosphere were absent.
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GREENHOUSE GASES A greenhouse gas (sometimes abbreviated GHG) is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. [1] The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Greenhouse gases greatly affect the temperature of the Earth; without them, Earth's surface would average about 33 C colder, which is about 59 F below the present average of 14 C (57 F). By their percentage contribution to the greenhouse effect on Earth the four major gases are:
Compound
Formula
Contribution (%) Water vapour and clouds H2O 36 72% Carbon dioxide CO 2 9 26% Methane CH4 49% Ozone O3 37% 6
IMPACTS OF GREENHOUSE EFFECT Continued warming from the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere is expected to have substantial impacts on the environment, human health and the economy. Some of them are: 1. Environmental impacts Overall average annual temperatures are expected to increase. Global warming will decrease snow, sea ice and glacier coverage, resulting in rising sea levels and increased coastal flooding. Storms and heat waves are likely to increase in frequency and severity. Many wild species will have difficulty adapting to a warmer climate 2. Human health impacts People living in Canadas northern communities, and vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, are expected to be the most affected by the changes. Increased temperatures and more frequent and severe extreme weather events could lead to increased risks of death from dehydration and heat stroke, and injuries from intense local weather changes. There may be an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems and certain types of cancers, as temperatures rise and exacerbate air pollution. The risk of water-, food-, vector- and rodent-borne diseases may increase. 3. Economic impacts Agriculture, forestry, tourism and recreation could be affected by changing weather patterns. Human health impacts are expected to place additional economic stress on health and social support systems. Damage to infrastructure (e.g., roads and bridges) from extreme weather events is expected to increase. 7
CONTROL MEASURES FOR GREENHOUSE EFFECT Some of the measures to control Greenhouse effect are: Boosting energy efficiency: The energy used to power, heat, and cool our homes, businesses, and industries is the single largest contributor to global warming. Energy efficiency technologies allow us to use less energy to get the sameor higherlevel of production, service, and comfort. Greening transportation: The transportation sector's emissions have increased at a faster rate than any other energy-using sector over the past decade. A variety of solutions are at hand, including improving efficiency (miles per gallon) in all modes of transport, switching to low-carbon fuels. Revving up renewable: Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and bio energy are available around the world. Multiple studies have shown that renewable energy has the technical potential to meet the vast majority of our energy needs. Renewable technologies can be deployed quickly, are increasingly cost-effective, and create jobs while reducing pollution. Phasing out fossil fuel electricity: Dramatically reducing our use of fossil fuelsespecially carbon-intensive coalis essential to tackle climate change. There are many ways to begin this process. Key action steps include: not building any new coal-burning power plants, initiating a phased shutdown of coal plants starting with the oldest and dirtiest, and capturing and storing carbon emissions from power plants. Managing forests and agriculture: Taken together, tropical deforestation and emissions from agriculture represent nearly 30 percent of the world's heat-trapping emissions. We can fight global warming by reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and by making our food production practices more sustainable. 8
Developing and deploying new low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies: Research into and development of the next generation of low-carbon technologies will be critical to deep mid-century reductions in global emissions. Current research on battery technology, new materials for solar cells, harnessing energy from novel sources like bacteria and algae, and other innovative areas could provide important breakthroughs. Ensuring sustainable development: The countries of the worldfrom the most to the least developedvary dramatically in their contributions to the problem of climate change and in their responsibilities and capacities to confront it. A successful global compact on climate change must include financial assistance from richer countries to poorer countries to help make the transition to low-carbon development pathways and to help adapt to the impacts of climate change.
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REFRENCES 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas 3. http://www.columbia.edu/~vjd1/greenhouse.htm 4. http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators 5. http://www.climatehotmap.org/ 6. Textbook of Environmental Studies 2e by Cengage Learning
