Excess accumulation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, CFC causes warming of the earth is called global warming.
Global warming and the greenhouse effect
Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants and greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface. Each year, scientists learn more about the after-effects of global warming and many agree that environmental, economic, and health consequences are likely to occur if current trends continue. The combustion of fossil fuels is the main reason for global warming.
Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil releases water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), ozone and nitrous oxide (N2O), the primary greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas. Deforestation is also a large contributor to excess CO2 in the atmosphere.
- The ‘greenhouse effect’ is the warming that happens when certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat.
- The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap the Sun’s heat.
- Gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat similar to the glass roof of a greenhouse. These heat-trapping gases are called greenhouse gases.
