What is the Science of Global Warming?
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Global Warming has been attributed to a phenomenon called the Greenhouse Effect, inferring that the warming of the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere is somehow similar to what a regular greenhouse does. This common notion isn’t exactly right as a real greenhouse works by trapping the heat within a transparent enclosure whereas the Greenhouse Effect warms the earth by absorbing infrared radiation.
The Greenhouse Effect is getting a bad rap at the moment but the fact is, it has been around much longer, probably as soon as there was an Earth and atmosphere to warm. Without the phenomenon, the Earth’s temperature as we know it for the past centuries would be much lower.
As we know, the sun heats up different parts of the Earth 24/7. Our little planet absorbs 70% of this radiation — warming up the continents, the oceans, and the atmosphere – and reflects back 30% into space. The atmosphere plays a major role in warming our home, acting as a giant woolen blanket to keep the freezing temperature of space at bay.
This giant air blanket has various warming components called greenhouse gases. It might come as a surprise that good old water vapor is responsible for 36% of the radiation-absorbing and warming affect while carbon dioxide only makes up 9%. Other significant radiation-absorbers are methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons.
If the Greenhouse Effect is essential to our survival, then why are we constantly reminded that it will destroy us and the Earth? What we are having now is called the runaway Greenhouse Effect caused by an imbalance in the absorption and reflection of the radiation from the sun.
Humans have somehow managed to increase the concentration of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (coal and petrol). At the same time, we have severely reduced the Earth’s capacity to scrub the atmosphere by cutting down huge swaths of forests in the name of development and progress, which are, essentially, carbon sinks.
So now, the Earth’s capacity to absorb infrared radiation was increased while it’s ability to reflect back radiation into space was decreased. We are simply retaining more of the sun’s heat than what was normal. Our blanket is heating up and we are squirming underneath it.
Click here for an interactive demonstration of global warming.
Other posts you’ll want to read:
- Global Warming 5 Facts
- 10 effects of global warming.
- How to prevent global warming.
- Is global warming the cause of genocide in Darfur?
- 10 Global warming books in my wish list.
Mark H
Armen Shirvanian
Arun Basil Lal
Sandi
Martha A. Cheves
March 6th, 2008 at 1:57 am
It’s completely true. Yes, in order for the earth to stay balance, greenhouse gases are important. Greenhouse gases, along with weathering and many other components keep the earth’s temperature at a liveable condition. However, as more CO2 is released into the atmosphere, the warmer the earth’s temperature gets. Because we have an overload the CO2, the earth is unable to deflect this back, and the earth is slowing increasing in temperature as days go by.
March 6th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Thank you for making some points clearer. There are other interesting theories about the Earth warming up, like it being a being a natural occurrence caused by the sun and our position in the milky way, as posted by davinci.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
However, as more CO2 is released into the atmosphere, the warmer the earth’s temperature gets.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Hi!
That’s what the theories on the build-up of green house gases contends but it appears there are other factors as well.