| There has been much discussion, both among | | | | heat that is radiating away from a warm |
| experts and lay people about the 'greenhouse | | | | object. During the day, the Earth is warmed |
| effect'. The greenhouse effect is a term that | | | | by sunlight, and at night, the Earth cools |
| refers to changes in the Earth's atmospheric | | | | off by radiating the heat back into space in |
| composition, which have been related to the | | | | the form of infrared radiation. Carbon |
| warming of our planet. There is a growing | | | | dioxide, and other gases to some extent, |
| amount of evidence that human activities, | | | | absorb this radiation and limit its exit into |
| particularly those relating to the burning of | | | | space. Therefore, the natural cooling |
| fossil fuels like oil and coal, are major | | | | mechanism is thwarted. |
| contributors to the greenhouse effect. The | | | | |
| predicted consequences for the planet as a | | | | While it may seem that eliminating the |
| result of the greenhouse effect are extremely | | | | greenhouse effect would be the best strategy, |
| serious. They include major changes in the | | | | this is not what we want to do. Water vapor |
| climate that will have an impact on food | | | | represents another element in the |
| production and rising sea levels, which will | | | | heat-absorbing process. There is a great |
| put many coastal and other low-lying | | | | amount of water vapor in the atmosphere at |
| communities under water. | | | | all times. This is why we experience rain. We |
| | | | need the water vapor in the atmosphere to |
| Additional information that we have learned | | | | keep the Earth at its normal, comfortable |
| about the planet Venus provide a frightening | | | | temperature. Without the warmth created by |
| example of the greenhouse effect. Venus has a | | | | water vapor, the planet would freeze, and |
| very dense atmosphere made up of gases. The | | | | that would be the end of life as we know it. |
| planet has what has been described as a | | | | Therefore, we need to have some degree of the |
| 'runaway greenhouse effect.' It has surface | | | | 'greenhouse effect' in order to maintain life |
| temperature of about 800 degrees Fahrenheit. | | | | on Earth. |
| | | | |
| Experts generally point to gases like carbon | | | | We need to strike a balance. Mother Nature is |
| dioxide as the main contributors to the | | | | telling us, again, what we should already |
| greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide, which is a | | | | have learned by now - in any situation, |
| gas that is exhaled by everyone, can absorb | | | | extremes of any kind cause harm. |
| infrared radiation. This type of radiation is | | | | |