Question

Describe the ‘Green House Effect’ in your own words.

Answer 1

Greenhouse effect:

• It is defined as the phenomenon in which the earth's atmosphere traps the heat from the sun and prevents it forms escaping it into outer space thereby leading to an increase in the temperature of the earth's surface.
• The gases in the earth's atmosphere that collects heat and light from the sun are called greenhouse gases.
• The greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide(${\mathrm{CO}}_2$), methane (${\mathrm{CH}}_4$), and water vapour.
• This increase in the temperature of the surroundings is responsible for the greenhouse effect or global warming.
• Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture, and land clearing are increasing the number of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

Causes of Greenhouse Effect:

Burning of Fossil Fuels:
The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. With the increase in population, the utilization of fossil fuels has increased. This has led to an increase in the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Deforestation:
Plants and trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Due to the cutting of trees, there is a considerable increase in greenhouse gases which increases the earth’s temperature.

Farming:
Nitrous oxide used in fertilizers is one of the contributors to the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.