The greenhouse effect is an increase in the average
temperature of the Earth. It happens because certain gases
absorb infrared heat that would normally be radiated into space.
Infrared light is what you feel as heat from heat lamps used in
restaurants to keep french fries hot. It also causes the heat
you feel from ordinary light bulbs. Since carbon dioxide absorbs
this heat, the more carbon dioxide there is in the atmosphere, the
warmer the air will be. If the air gets too hot, the balance
of life will be disrupted. Species of plants and animals will
die. The food chain could be upset. This would cause
many serious problems worldwide.
What's in this section?
- Identify greenhouse gases.
- Determine why some proposed replacements for greenhouse gases
- Determine the percentage of the various greenhouse gases' effects
on global warming.
- Determine the change in the concentration of carbon dioxide
in the air.
- Determine the possible causes of the greenhouse effect.
- Determine the link between industrialization and the greenhouse
- Hypothesize reasons for increases in production of certain greenhouse
gases and propose solutions to global warming.
- Infer what international problems need to be addressed to stop
the greenhouse effect.
- Describe the effects of global warming on humans and on plants.
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