Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases are the components of the atmosphere that contribute to the Greenhouse Effect. The major greenhouse gases are the- carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, ozone, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons etc. Generally, the earth is heated by the sunlight and some of the heat that is absorbed by the earth is radiated back into the space. The important feature of greenhouse gases is that they absorb certain infrared wavelengths. Thus, they trap heat in the troposphere and stop it from escaping to the space. The net result of the heating of the earth's surface by this type of phenomenon is the Greenhouse Effect.
Human activities generate several different greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Globally, more than 80% of human carbon dioxide emission comes from transportation & industrial sources. The remaining 20% comes from biomass burning & deforestation; about half of the current methane emissions is derived from solid waste landfills and coal, oil & gas production; CFCs are generated from refrigerators, air-conditioners; motor vehicle emissions are the major source of ozone in the atmosphere.
Simply, greenhouse gases are the contributors to Greenhouse Effect and the ultimate result is 'global warming' and due to global warming several other effects on the environment have been identified such as sea level rise which is a major threat to the low-lying countries, severe floods, adverse affects on global food production, melting of polar ice caps etc.
The developed countries are the main contributors to Greenhouse Effect through their industrial activities from which huge quantities of these gases are released and we, people of the developing countries, suffer most. So, for the betterment of the earth, we should take some steps to minimize the Greenhouse Effects like reduction in the use of fossil fuels, extensive forestation, conservation of forest, reduction in the use of automobiles, ban on CFCs & nuclear explosion, effective check on the growth of the population, encouraging community forestry etc.
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