How does the greenhouse effect warm the Earth?

Answer 1

The earth is surrounded by an atmosphere of air, made up of a number of gases. These gases form a 'blanket' which prevents all the sun's heat (infrared radiation) from reflecting back into space. If this greenhouse blanket was not there the surface of the earth would be about minus 18 degrees C (0ºF), instead of its present average temperature of 15 degrees C (59ºF). So this natural greenhouse effect is very useful.

The gases that keep the earth warm are called greenhouse gases. The most important gas, causing about 75% of the natural greenhouse effect, is water vapor. The next most important is carbon dioxide.

About 200 years ago humans started pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, when the first factories began. Today the concentration of carbon dioxide is 40 per cent greater that it was in the 18th century. We have increased other greenhouse gases too, like methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.

This is made worse by deforestation because plants take in CO2 and without them, less carbon dioxide is taken in, which in turn traps more heat.

These increased amounts of greenhouse gases trap more infrared radiation and the earth's lower atmosphere is warming up. This is known as the enhanced greenhouse effect and is causing global warming, which, in turn, is causing climate change.

A:

it traps the heat in.

Green House Gases are found in the troposphere. The sun's rays pass through this layer and reflect off of Earth's surface. Then after that the reflected light hits the gases causing them to heat. This heat is then re-reflected towards earth where it increases the warming.

Carbon dioxide traps energy from the sun.

The sunlight travels through the atmosphere until it hits the earth. Upon hitting the earth the energy changes from light to heat. Heat will move to an area where there is less heat. Normally toward space. Gases like water vapor, Carbon dioxide, and methane slow down this movement and cause the heat to collect closer to the earth. This in turn heats the planet.

Cutting down the rain forests increases the greenhouse effect because it reduces the amount of clouds in the atmosphere. This allows more light to reach the earth and change into heat.

Cutting down northern forests decreases the greenhouse effect by allowing the snow to accumulate. This keeps the light from turning into heat by reflecting more of it into space.

Answer 2

The normal, natural greenhouse effect is good for the earth. The earth's carbon and water cycles move carbon dioxide and water vapour in and out of the atmosphere. This supports the greenhouse effect which keeps the earth warm (about 13 degrees Celsius on average) and has done for millions of years. If there was no greenhouse effect we would all freeze to death.

But the greenhouse effect has been damaged. It can no longer keep the earth at a steady temperature.

The accelerated greenhouse effect is what is happening now because of all the extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas for industry, transport and to generate electricity. And also because we have cut down so many trees that used to soak the carbon out of the air. This is causing unbalance to the earth's carbon cycle and is causing global warming and climate change. So the enhanced, or accelerated, greenhouse effect is bad for the earth.

Answer 3

The normal greenhouse effect keeps the earth warm enough for life.

The accelerated greenhouse effect is the cause of global warming.

Answer 4

Earth does have the greenhouse effect. It is also known as global warming because it warms the atmosphere on Earth.

Answer 5

Yes, it has a natural one keeping us warm enough for life. This is now changing into an accelerating greenhouse effect which is causing global warming and climate change.

Answer 6

it makes it warmer