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While the greenhouse effect is an essential environmental prerequisite for life on Earth, there really can be too much of a good thing.

The problems begin when human activities distort and accelerate the natural process by creating more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than are necessary to warm the planet to an ideal temperature.

  • Burning natural gas, coal and oil -including gasoline for automobile engines-raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
  • Some farming practices and land-use changes increase the levels of methane and nitrous oxide.
  • Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gasesthat do not occur naturally, yet contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect and "global warming" that is currently under way.
  • Deforestation also contributes to global warming. Trees use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in its place, which helps to create the optimal balance of gases in the atmosphere. As more forests are logged for timber or cut down to make way for farming, however, there are fewer trees to perform this critical function.
  • Population growth is another factor in global warming, because as more people use fossil fuels for heat, transportation and manufacturing the level of greenhouse gases continues to increase. As more farming occurs to feed millions of new people, more greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere.

Ultimately, more greenhouse gases means more infrared radiation trapped and held, which gradually increases the temperature of the Earth's surface and the air in the lower atmosphere.

Yes, man does add to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Examples of this would be

  • cutting down or burning trees, which adds carbon dioxide to the air.
  • burning fossil fuels (coal oil and natural gas) to generate electricity or to drive transport, which adds over 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year.
  • raising cattle, which belch methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide.
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How do every day people contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Everyday people contribute to the greenhouse effect by activities such as burning fossil fuels for transportation and energy, deforestation, consumption of meat from livestock, and overuse of energy in households. These actions release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, trapping heat and contributing to global warming.


Do cooking fuels contribute to the green house effect?

The only fuels that contribute to the greenhouse effect are fossil fuels. So, using coal, coke, petroleum oil, gas or peat for cooking does contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming, but using wood, biofuels and other renewable resources does not.


Why is nitrogen not considered a greenhouse gas?

Nitrogen is not considered a greenhouse gas because it does not absorb or emit infrared radiation, which is necessary for a gas to contribute to the greenhouse effect.


Does paraffin contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Yes, paraffin is produced from petroleum, a fossil fuel. It contains carbon dioxide from millions of years ago, so when it is burnt it adds to the normal greenhouse effect which has become overwhelmed by all the extra carbon dioxide. The normal greenhouse effect is now warming into the accelerated greenhouse effect.


What does nitrogen do in the greenhouse effect?

Nitrogen itself does not contribute directly to the greenhouse effect. The main greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. However, nitrogen compounds can indirectly affect the greenhouse effect when they are released into the atmosphere and interact with other greenhouse gases.


Is dyhdrogen monoxide dangerous for the environment?

Yes, it is a toxic gas and also contribute to the greenhouse effect.


Does Ethanol contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Ethanol is a biofuel produced from vegetable matter. When the crop grows, it removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When the biofuel is burnt, that same carbon dioxide is released. So ethanol, basically, is carbon-neutral and does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.


Do all atmospheric gases contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Not all atmospheric gases contribute to the greenhouse effect; only certain gases, known as greenhouse gases, have the ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. Key greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor. While gases like oxygen and nitrogen make up a large portion of the atmosphere, they do not significantly contribute to the greenhouse effect because they do not absorb infrared radiation. Thus, only a subset of atmospheric gases plays a critical role in regulating Earth's temperature.


How greenhouse effect contribute in increasing sea level?

It melts the glaciers making the sea levels rise


The warming of an atmosphere that is the result of gasses such as carbon dioxide which prevent the sun's heat from escaping?

This is known as the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, leading to a warming effect. This phenomenon can contribute to global warming and climate change.


What makes a greenhouse gas and how does it contribute to the Earth's climate system?

Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that trap heat from the sun, causing the Earth's surface to warm. This warming effect is known as the greenhouse effect. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. When these gases accumulate in the atmosphere, they enhance the natural greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change.


How do people cause the green house affect?

People contribute to the greenhouse effect primarily through the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), from activities like burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, and industrial processes. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures. Additionally, agricultural practices and waste management contribute to methane emissions. As a result, human activities significantly amplify the natural greenhouse effect, driving climate change.