Global Warming Green House Effect

Benefits of Recycling.com is presenting this series of pages on global warming becaue we believe there is evidence to support it is real. Even so, we are open to be proven wrong, which is why there are pages on why it is not real. Fair is fair.

The truth is we just want people to be aware that human activities have the possibility of creating adverse effects in the US, Antarctica, Greenland, and throughout the world.

Global warming can also be detrimental to wildlife such as polar bears, creatures like sea turtles, and sea life like coral reefs.

So is global warming a myth or are there facts to support it as a reality of our times? Is there really such a thing as the greenhouse effect? And if so, what is that?

Whether you believe global warming is real or not, we invite you to read what we have uncovered on the many pages of this site... and beyond. Remember, knowledge is power.

Global Warming Green House Effect / Just Enough

To make the Earth warm enough to support life, the atmosphere needs to contain trace amounts of certain gases. These gases form a thin layer that traps significant amounts of solar energy and keeps it from escaping into space. This process is called the greenhouse effect.

The greenhouse effect makes life on this planet possible. However, it may also cause an end to life on Earth as we know it. Since the Industrial Revolution, human activity has caused excessive amounts of atmospheric greenhouse gases.

Because natural processes are not equipped to manage such large amounts, greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere and consequently enhance the greenhouse effect. This is what causes global warming, a phenomenon that can result in catastrophic problems not just for Earth but for all its inhabitants as well.

Among the most significant greenhouse gases increased by human activity include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor.

1. Global Warming Green House Effect / Carbon Dioxide

Power plants that process coal, natural gas, and oil to generate electricity account for about 40% of the world's total carbon dioxide emissions. The world's fleet of motor vehicles contributes about 33% as each vehicle burns gasoline through internal combustion engines.

In areas where traffic jams and city gridlocks often occur, carbon dioxide emissions are higher than the world's average. Industrial and commercial buildings result in 12% of total carbon dioxide emissions while airplanes contribute about 3.5%.

2. Global Warming Green House Effect / Methane

Although concentrations of methane are lower, studies show that this greenhouse gas is over twenty times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat. Throughout the past century, concentrations of methane in the atmosphere have increased by at least 145%.

Scientists believe that the significant increase results from wetlands like rice paddies and bogs. These produce anaerobic conditions that release methane as the soil's organic matter decomposes. Other sources of methane emissions include fossil fuel production and bovine flatulence.

3. Global Warming Green House Effect / Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is emitted naturally by rainforests and oceans but human activity has increased the concentrations of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere through nitric acid and nylon production, organic matter processing, and fertilizer use. Vehicles with catalytic converters also contribute to nitrous oxide emissions.

4. Global Warming Green House Effect / Water Vapor

Water vapor is known as the most powerful and most prevalent greenhouse gas on Earth. It holds over 60% of the heat trapped by other greenhouse gases. As concentrations of other atmospheric greenhouse gases increase, the planet warms and increases in relative humidity. This causes even more warming.

There is no doubt that human activity enhances the greenhouse effect through large emissions of greenhouse gases. Because of this, we are already experiencing the onset of global warming. Since greenhouse gases can remain in the atmosphere for centuries, we should act now to reduce our emissions and keep the Earth's warmth at a tolerable level.

Global Warming Green House Effect / Sources

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/index.html
http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/a/greenhouse.htm
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/grnhse.html

For more information on Global Warming follow these links:

Definition For Global Warming

Ways to Prevent Global Warming

Global Warming is Real

Global Warming is Not Real

Global Warming Predictions

Global Warming Hurricanes

Global Warming Antarctica

Human Effects of Global Warming

Natural Causes of Global Warming

Facts on Global Warming

How to Stop Global Warming

Global Warming For Kids

Global Warming Myths

Global Warming Evidence

Global Warming Polar Bears