The Greenhouse Effect
To
understand global warming, it is first necessary to understand the greenhouse
effect.- the natural warming process of the earth. When the sun's energy reaches
the earthÕs surface some of the energy is reflected back to space and the
rest is absorbed. The absorbed energy warms the earth's surface which then
emits heat energy back toward space as long-wave radiation. This outgoing
long-wave radiation is partially
trapped by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor
which then radiate the energy in all directions, warming the earth's surface
and atmosphere. Without these greenhouse gases the earth's average surface
temperature would be about 33 degrees Celsius cooler. Therefore, the greenhouse
effect is an essential cycle for earth and its inhabitants.