Question

What is the greenhouse effect and how does it affect the climate?

Answer 1

Greenhouse effect:

1. The greenhouse effect is the process in which radiations from the sun are absorbed by the greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and the water vapour.
2. These radiations are not reflected back into space.
3. Greenhouse effect insulates the earth surface and does not allow the freezing of earth surface.
4. Greenhouse effect affects the climate in may ways like: global warming, depletion of ozone layer, smog and air pollution, acidification of the water bodies, etc.

Global warming:

1. Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface.
2. Global warming occurs as a result of increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Depletion of ozone Layer:

1. The ozone layer protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.
2. The depletion of the ozone layer causes the entry of harmful UV rays to the earth’s surface.
3. The UV rays lead to skin cancer and also change the climate drastically.

Smog and air pollution:

1. Smog is formed by the combination of smoke and fog.
2. It is caused both by natural means and man-made activities.
3. It is formed by the accumulation of more greenhouse gases including nitrogen and sulphur oxides.
4. Increased industries and vehicular emission also causes release of greenhouse gases.

Acidification of water bodies:

1. Increase in the total amount of greenhouse gases in the air turns water bodies acidic.
2. The greenhouse gases mix with the rainwater and fall as acid rain which causes the acidification of water bodies.