What are the consequences of the greenhouse effect?

Answer 1

The natural greenhouse effect is caused by molecules of gases (water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, and others) suspended in the upper atmosphere. These molecules absorb infrared light (heat), whereas nitrogen and oxygen let it pass. Some heat is reflected back into space by water vapor, but the primary greenhouse gases prevent much of it from escaping the atmosphere. Infrared light may then absorbed into the ocean or ground. This greenhouse effect has kept the earth reasonably warm for two billion years.

The enhanced greenhouse effect (which is what has happened due to deforestation (clear cutting forests), burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), and other human activity is causing global warming and climate change. All this results in a thicker layer of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, meaning that more solar heat is trapped by Earth's atmosphere. Earth has been warming especially quickly since 1980 - and this warming results in climate change.

Climate change implies weather patterns, including rainfall, are altered. The temperature increase may have a dramatic affect on wildlife, especially animals that thrive in or require very cold, or very hot climates. Melting glacial ice will result in sea level rise. Winters may become shorter and harsher. Summers are expected to grow increasingly hotter. Hurricanes and tornadoes may become gradually stronger, more common, and their range increase.

Answer 2

the greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is adsorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases.