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