Horno Solar

Informations about renewable energy to save our world

Greenhouse Effect: Its Triggers and How Solar Panels Can Aid

The association of the greenhouse effect with the current global warming gives it a negative connotation. The consumption of alternative energy systems like solar PV cells and wind turbines as a way to generate electricity is now increasing for that reason. Nonetheless, to sustain life on the planet, the natural occurring greenhouse effect is essential.

What is a Greenhouse Effect?

The reflection of the radiated heat from the sun further up into our atmosphere is actually a slow-moving energy called an “infrared radiation.” Greenhouse gases seen in our atmosphere capture this heat. Many of these gases are the following: water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases.

Greenhouse effect is significant in creating a perfect temperature on our planet but the creation of man-made greenhouse gases only boosts the natural process.Fortunately, some alternative energy sources are now being employed through solar panel systems, windmills, hydroelectric dams and geothermal systems.

This may serve as one of the solutions to address the global warming problem. Hopefully, this helps with the question of what causes the green house effect.

What are the Human Contributions to the Greenhouse Effect?

Burning off of fossil fuels including coal, oil and natural gas that lead to an increased carbon dioxide concentrations. The burning of rainforests and emissions of automobiles greatly cause this rise. Some of the carbon dioxide released is consumed by plants and trees for their biological processes.

 

Some factories emit industrial gases called fluorinated gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride) that are utilized in place of ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs. Its potency had given it the term High Global Warming Potential gases (“High GWP gases”). These gases are great contributing factors to the elevated greenhouse effect.

 

Population growth gives rise to the increased necessity for fossil fuels to be burned for heat, transportation and manufacturing of substances and devices. The application of solar PV systems greatly minimizes the necessity to utilize fossil fuels for our needs.

The increased concentrations of greenhouse gases as a result of human activities suggests there will also be an increase in the temperature of the earth. We might just be left to live in a dying planet if we dismiss these concerns.

The usage of alternative sources of energy like solar power could serve as a great progress to stop global warming. The solar panel information site is a good start in learning more about solar energy to power your homes and offices. Its content has a generous read on solar PV cells and solar panel systems fit for your needs.

 

More Greenhouse Effect Articles

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have No Comments

Paper and Plastic Bags Effect on Global Warming

Reusable grocery bags and reusable shopping bags are now becoming very popular in society today. Though most of us don’t realize it, manufacturing bags-plastic, compostable plastic and even paper bags-contributes significantly to global warming. Greenhouse gases are the result of emissions caused by burning fossil fuels during the production of plastic and paper bags. The greenhouse effect is caused when infrared radiations from the earth’s surface are prevented from escaping into the outer space. The consequence is global warming. A very important way to reduce the use of plastic bags is through the use of reusable grocery bags and reusable shopping bags. It is through the use of these reusable grocery bags that we are able to reduce the negative effects that paper and plastic bags have on the environment. Reusable shopping bags eliminates the need for many consumers to carry their purchased items in paper or plastic bags. When consumers show that they no longer want to use paper and plastic bags, there will be less of a demand for these bag manufacturers to produce so many of them. It is through the production of these bags that the environment is affected. When these manufacturers see the lowered demand for them because consumers are using reusable shopping bags and reusable grocery bags, they will lower how many they put into production.

Paper bags have the highest global warming impact per bag compared to other types of bags. According to the US EPA, 70% more global warming gasses are emitted making a paper bag than a plastic bag, and 50 times more water pollution. They also use 4 times more raw materials, and consume 3.5 times more energy. They also contribute to global warming by destroying trees. In 1999, the American Forest and Paper Association reported that Americans used 10 billion paper shopping bags, consuming 14 million trees. The use of reusable shopping bags and reusable grocery bags not only eliminates the need for paper and plastic bags, but they will lower the number of bags being produced. It is evident that the production of these bags has a major effect on the environment and people need to make a strong effort in their consumption of these paper and plastic bags.

Reusable Grocery Bags and Reusable shopping bags are a great way to do your part in the prevention of global warming. Global warming, or climate change, shows no signs of slowing down. Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) around the world since 1880, much of this in recent decades, according to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The rate of warming is increasing. When you go shopping at your nearest retail outlet, make sure to bring your reusable shopping bags. The next time you go to the supermarket, you should bring your reusable grocery bags. The 20th century’s last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies. And the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850. The Arctic is feeling the effects the most. Average temperatures in Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia have risen at twice the global average, according to the multinational Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report compiled between 2000 and 2004. Arctic ice is rapidly disappearing, and the region may have its first completely ice free summer by 2040 or earlier. Polar bears and indigenous cultures are already suffering from the sea-ice loss. Glaciers and mountain snows are rapidly melting-for example, Montana’s Glacier National Park now has only 27 glaciers, versus 150 in 1910. In the Northern Hemisphere, thaws also come a week earlier in spring and freezes begin a week later. Reusable grocery bags are a great way to prevent the countless plastic bags from being manufactured, and it is partly through the production of these plastic bags that global warming is happening. Reusable Grocery Bags and reusable shopping bags are a simple and effective way people can do their part in conserving the environment. Reusable grocery bags can be purchased and used at all supermarkets, while reusable shopping bags are great for any occasion when you are out shopping. Do your part in caring about the environment and saving the planet through the use of reusable shopping bags and reusable grocery bags.

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off

Hole in the Ozone Layer and the Greenhouse Effect

When discussing the preservation of our earth, two major issues are always in the forefront: the destruction of the vital ozone layer and the question of the greenhouse effect, which may be causing the increase of temperature of the atmosphere.

Ozone is an unstable gas (rather rare). It is a toxic form of oxygen. It consists of three atoms of oxygen in one molecule, while in the common molecule of oxygen there are only two atoms. Ozone is present in the entire atmosphere up to the altitude of approximately 50 kilometres. The layer containing the highest concentration of ozone (the ozone layer) is situated in the lower geographical latitudes at approximately 25 kilometres above the point zero (sea level). The altitude of the ozone layer decreases in the direction of polar regions.

By means of photochemical reaction, the short-wave part of ultraviolet rays changes oxygen into ozone.

In this way, the majority of cell-damaging ultraviolet light is absorbed.

The use of chloro-fluoro-carbohydrates in sprays and manufacture of foams causes long-term damage of the protective ozone layer. The reason is, that when these gases are released, they rises very slowly into the atmosphere. There, they are dissolved by the ultraviolet light into free atoms of chlorine. They interact with ozone and destroy it. When the ozone layer is damaged, ultraviolet light penetrates to the surface of the earth. Chloro-fluoro-carbohydrates have a very long life and may continue destroying the ozone layer during many years.

This destructive process is specially noticeable at lower temperatures. A considerable decrease in the ozone layer was registered several years ago at the south pole during the winter season.

This decrease is called the ozone hole. More than half of the ultraviolet rays pass through the hole. The consequence of this energy-releasing process is the release of heat. In the meantime, this effect emerged also over the north pole. In Antarctica, when at the end of the polar night the atmosphere gradually warms up again, air from the lower latitudes, rich in ozone, streams in and “fills up” the ozone hole.

In autumn of the year 2000, the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica increased to 29 million cubic kilometres, which is four times the size of Australia. According to the information of New Zealand Antarctic stations, this increases the risk of exposure to cancer-producing ultraviolet light for the population of the southern hemisphere as never before. Antarctica as such is also threatened, because its very sensitive ecosystem may be quickly destroyed by this situation.

While the ozone in the stratosphere is being depleted, in the lower layers of the atmosphere, i.e., in the troposphere, the amount of ozone is on the increase as a result of the emissions of the automobiles (nitrogen and sulfur oxides). However, this does not help balance the decreased amounts of ozone in the stratosphere.

Even assuming that there will be a complete halt in use of the chloro-fluoro-carbohydrates, it must be taken into consideration that their damaging effects will increase. In the higher latitudes, people must take precautions and protect themselves against the ultraviolet light of the sun.

In most cases, the term “greenhouse effect” is synonymous with a negative, man-made climate change. However, without a natural greenhouse effect, the life on our planet would be impossible. The earth would remain hostile to life.

Sunlight easily passes into a greenhouse and warms it up. However, the heat cannot easily escape. That way, the heat accumulates, and that is very similar to what is going on in the atmosphere that surrounds us. It is made up of different gases: 78.1 percent of nitrogen, 21 percent of oxygen, 0.9 percent of argon, 0.03 percent of carbon dioxide, and traces of noble gases.

Fifty percent of sunlight easily reach the earth’s surface, which is heated by this sunlight. The heated earth also irradiates heat. This heat, analogous to the heat of a greenhouse, cannot easily escape through the atmosphere into the universe. It is held in the atmosphere, mostly by water vapour and carbon dioxide. These two gases absorb the heat and transfer it back to the earth.

At the present time, the mean temperature on the earth is plus 15 degrees Celsius. Without the greenhouse effect, the mean temperature would also be around 15 degrees, but it would be with the other symbol, that is to say, minus 15 degrees Celsius.

In the last few decades, people have caused the increase of the greenhouse effect. Industry, transportation and agriculture, all share in the additional amounts of the greenhouse gases being produced. These gases prevent the heat to escape into the universe, and reflect it back to the earth.

The more greenhouse gases there are, the more heat stays within the earth-atmosphere cycle. Carbon dioxide is not the only gas that increases the temperature in the atmosphere. There is also methane, which is released when forests are cleared by burning. It is also released by landfills and by many ruminants, such as beef cattle, sheep and goats. Carbon dioxide is exhaled by people and animals. It also escapes from volcanoes and is released by burning of fossil fuels. The ozone of the lower layers of the atmosphere is also one of the greenhouse gases.

However, it is not absolutely clear, whether the global warming is caused by the increased production of greenhouse gases, that is to say, by man. (Today, it’s already been demonstrated – note of the editor). Without any doubt, though, the increase in global warming during the 20the century had been extreme. That century was the warmest one in the last 500 years.

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off

Global Warming Caused By the Green-House Effect

The green-house effect is the most important cause behind global warming. In fact global warming is known as the greenhouse effect. This phenomenon leads to an increase in the Earth temperature due to certain gases like CO2, nitrous oxide, and methane. These gases trap the energy from the sun and without them the heat would go back into space and Earth would be one massive iceberg. Since these gases warm the Earth, they are known as greenhouse gases.

In the last couple of decades, people have started using glass houses to grow plants in winter and these are called greenhouses. Typically, these houses will trap the heat from the sun. The glasses in the greenhouse let the light through and at the same time prevent the heat from escaping.

As a result, the greenhouse heats up to keep the plants alive in the winter. Similarly, the greenhouse gases in the Earths atmosphere work like the glass and prevent the heat from escaping.

The sunlight enters piercing through the cloud of greenhouse gases and when it reaches the Earths surface, it is absorbed by land, water, and air.

After absorption the same energy is sent back into the atmosphere. Some of it remains trapped in the atmosphere due to the greenhouse gases and this energy makes the Earth warmer. Since there has been an increase in CO2 emissions in the last couple of decades, more and more heat is being absorbed in the atmosphere. This is increasing the temperature of the Earth gradually and causing global warming.

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off

Buy Carbon Offset to Not Allow Your Consequences to Effect the Life on Earth

The environmental conditions of earth are solely responsible for our existence on it. Without proper and favorable environmental conditions, we cannot even imagine our survival on earth. The ultimate atmosphere of earth, which contains a layer of gases, protects life on the ‘Green Planet’ by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing temperature extremes between day and night.

However the major part of the air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, there are many other gases, often referred to as ‘Green House Gases’ that are responsible for making the planet a place suitable for existence of life by holding the heat of sun so that the temperature of the earth could support life on it. So, we can say that, there is a big role of green house gases for the survival of the life elements on Earth but what would be happen if the temperature becomes too high? In such conditions would there be any life on earth? Let’s simplify this; the green house gases support life but only when they are present in a particular concentration and they will no longer produce the same effect if there will be a change in their concentration.

]]>

There are many reasons today that are affecting the concentration of the Green House Gases and this is the major reason that the temperature of earth is gradually getting warmer and warmer. Yes, our Planet is suffering today from the ‘Global Warming’ that if the situation is not controlled in time, the time is not far away when most of life varieties of earth will become extinct. There is a need of action today to save our tomorrow.

As carbon-di-oxide (CO2) gas is mainly responsible for the Global warming, by controlling the concentration of it, we can control the situation efficiently. Climate change is very likely having an impact now on our planet and its life but the good news is that there are plenty of things that we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. Being a great  ‘Carbon Credits’, can be used to compensate our carbon footprints. A carbon offset is designed as a simplest way to reduce or eliminate our carbon footprint. The goal of buying and selling carbon offsets is to get everyone’s carbon footprint to zero.

Anyone can to take his/her responsibility towards environment. There are many online services that to give you the power to change the disastrous effect of your action, which otherwise can ruin the existence of life on it forever.

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off

Nitric Acid: Exacerbating Climate Change And Furthering Its Effect To The Atmosphere

Nitric acid is one of the top chemicals in production around the world. Its primary application is in the manufacture of nitrogen-based fertilizers. It is also used in explosives, metallurgy, dyes, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Other minor applications include water treatment, fibers and polymers manufacture, liquid-propellant for rockets, printmaking, and nuclear fuel reprocessing.

Human-influenced sources may account for as much as 40% of the total NOx released into the atmosphere. The laughing gas, nitrous oxide (N2O), is approximately accountable to 7% of the greenhouse gases. The concentration of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere has significantly increased from the pre-industrial period as compared in the last two decades.

As a waste by-product of nitric acid production, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are very harmful to the environment and they can also aggravate the effects of climate change. Emissions from nitric acid manufacturing plants may not be as significant as those of combustion of fossil fuels but a small difference in the levels of nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere will mean a big difference since they are very harmful greenhouse gases.

Biofuels are also contributors to nitrous oxide. Contrary to popular belief, a report from the International Council for Science (ICSU) concludes that biofuel production can aggravate global warming rather than alleviating its effects. The theory is that annual plants and crops such as corn, wheat and sugar cane take up carbon dioxide during their growth. Hence, fuels burned from them have no significant carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.

The same study also supported an earlier finding which determined that nitrous oxide has a more harmful effect on the environment and the climate change phenomenon than previously believed. The ability of nitrous oxide in warming up the planet is 300 times more than carbon dioxide. It also stays longer in the atmosphere.

Nitrous oxide is a natural occurring gas in the atmosphere as a result of the nitrogen cycle but it is the rate at which its concentration increases and the factors which contribute to this increase that worries scientists and environmentalists. One of the greatest factors which most of them have seen is the anthropogenic sources such as nitric acid manufacturing plants.

Greenhouse effects cannot be ignored anymore. Climate change is upon us. The weather has become even more unpredictable than before. Studies have also identified that the main cause of this phenomenon are unchecked and negligent human practices.

As a result of industrialization, comforts have been afforded to us, such as electricity, transport, and other luxuries we now enjoy. But this comes with a price, the warming up of the planet.

Is this really worth it? Can we really afford the unpredictability of the weather today, the increase in intensity of natural disasters? The world has certainly begun to experience the effects of the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by the higher than normal temperatures, the melting of the polar ice caps and the rising sea levels.

We have to make a move now. A move to reduce our impacts on the environment, this especially goes to those who are in the position to make a significant change in reducing nitric acid production by-products. Owners and managers of plants and companies which use nitric acid must have proper processing and disposal strategies which are environment friendly.

But the responsibility doesn’t stop there. We must do our part as well. We are also stakeholders therefore we have to take responsibility. One thing is for sure though, we have to start today. This is because of the fact that the planet will continue to warm up for no less than 150 years due residence time of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It will take a long, long time before the climate becomes stable.

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off

Greenhouse Effect and Carbon Offsetting ? An overview

In layman terms, greenhouse effect is the rebound of the radiative energy (in the form of thermal energy) in all directions, in the atmosphere. In fact, this energy is redirected in all directions, but it is of utmost importance to regulate it back in the atmosphere; this is done so that balance can be brought about in humans and nature. A very important aspect of this whole process are the green house gases – water vapor (36-70%), carbon dioxide (9-26%), methane (4-9%), ozone (3-7%). These gases, also known as the atmospheric gases are basically responsible for trapping the thermal energy.

We see the greenhouse mechanism everyday – when our cars get heated up in the sun, in the nurseries with shades etc. the energy which is trapped back in these surfaces is indeed great for its respective processes; but when it comes to the atmosphere, it is a different thing altogether. Like the saying goes, excess of everything is bad, in the same way; the excess of the greenhouse gases (resulting in excessive radiative energy) is bad for the natural heath of the flora, fauna as well as Homo sapiens.

With the progress of mankind, discovery of fuel, deforestation, agricultural practices resulting in the emission of atmospheric methane, extensive use of CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) industrialization etc, carbon dioxide has only kept increasing in the atmosphere; and as compared to other gases, the increase in the level of carbon dioxide is the most alarming because it absorbs the most of the radiative energy.

Many measures have been taken worldwide to take initiatives to conserve energy and indirectly prevent global warming created by the greenhouse effect. There are alternate methods of utilizing energy such as solar energy, wind energy etc – which are of course very expensive, but a cheaper way to use them must be found as soon as possible. Another way to contribute our bit is through the ‘carbon offset‘.

Carbon offset is simply an effort to reduce the emission of carbon or other greenhouse gases so that this reduction is compensated for an atmospheric gases’ emission elsewhere. These are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). One carbon offset is equivalent to the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or the other greenhouse gases.

These are achieved by supporting the alternative or renewable energy plants or equipments. Here the support means a financial support. Due to the Corporate Social Responsibility measures growing throughout the world, Business carbon offsets have become a major way of contribution.

 

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off

Buried underground disposal of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse effect of new technologies Yin Zhengyi

Article by hi joiney

HC Chemical Network Information which are invisible touch or smell gas but no doubt it is closely related to each of us Carbon dioxide are being considered to be one culprit in global warming October 28 to participate in the development of China 39 s first energy saving industrial environment of Beijing University Seminar Energy Research Institute heat transfer enhancement and Energy Conservation Education Department of Laboratory Director Chong Fang told the quot China Economy Weekly quot the Earth 39 s temperature rising rate should be controlled within at 2 but compared to the Industrial Revolution and has now increased by 0 8 atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide not more than 450ppm but also has reached 387ppm quot and in increased rate of 2ppm a year quot To an adult every day for nearly 1 000 grams of carbon dioxide emitted into account no doubt more than 50 billion for the greenhouse effect the Earth 39 s population is doing quot a great contribution quot But even so the amount of carbon dioxide caused by human beings is still smaller than burning coal stone emissions This allows the human attempt to create their own carbon dioxide back underground Carbon capture and storage CCS technology has in recent years become a topic of even politicians are cold quot Carbon capture and storage technology really is a responsible one quot Some experts questioned Coal most quot dirty quot Natural gas Cleaner Authoritative data in accordance with the current technology level the average unit price of coal power generation of about 1 000 grams of carbon dioxide emissions is necessary only the United States carbon dioxide emissions from power plants each year reached 1 5 billion tons This allows the coal to be the most quot dirty quot energy ore quot 70 of all carbon emissions produced by fossil fuels quot England Renewable Energy Co Ltd Representative Dianjun told the quot China Economic Weekly quot Share of global electricity generation coal 2 3 of the world 39 s energy mix and will continue to play an important role International mainstream opinion that the current world coal reserves could support at least 100 years coal power plants is difficult to be eliminated in a short time quot Especially in China coal is no alternative energy sources quot According to the International Energy Agency IEA estimates that China 39 s carbon dioxide emissions from coal power plants coal power plants around the world accounted for 38 of emissions and this figure growing However if the switch to natural gas the average per unit is only about 500 grams of carbon dioxide emissions only half of coal generation Chong Fang told the quot China Economic Weekly quot in order to control the air temperature rise within 2 the global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to 2050 levels by half in 1990 According to IEA estimates in order to achieve the above objectives the cheapest way is to develop consumer awareness of energy conservation quot but we still live in to high carbon lifestyle such as incandescent lamps still in use people just can not turn off the light of phenomenon can be seen everywhere quot Dianjun said Second energy efficiency these two methods can be expected to achieve emission reduction targets add up to 50 of the remaining 50 must be another way In China according to the quot Eleventh Five Year Plan quot requirement by 2010 China 39 s energy efficiency in 2005 on a basis of 20 China 39 s energy efficiency increased by 1 percentage point each that means 330 million tons of standard coal will reduce energy consumption Bury carbon dioxide back underground In fact carbon capture and storage CCS technology is widespread concern regarded as a quot savior of the earth quot before the recycling of carbon dioxide has been applied in private 70s of last century in order to improve Oil Of recovery the oil fields of Texas had to inject carbon dioxide underground 90 39 s of last century carbon dioxide into the Norwegian oil and gas fields have been mining oil and gas out of the remaining to extend the service life of oil and gas fields

About the Author

I am an expert from ricesteamcooker.com, while we provides the quality product, such as vegetable steamers , China cooking rice cooker, steam vegetables steamer,and more.

Related Greenhouse Effect Articles

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off

Climate Change Factoid ? The Greenhouse Effect (# 1 of a series)

You cannot plan effectively for your future until you understand what climate change holds for you. If you decided to do that then the Greenhouse Effect would be the first thing you would want to master. It’s not difficult and you will own it by the time you finish this page.

About 30% of the light arriving from the sun hits our atmosphere and bounces off, back out into space. The balance of the sun’s light continues on, toward the planet’s surface, where it will encounter something that is either light or dark in color . When the surface is light in color, it reflects the sun’s light back through the atmosphere and then on out into space. If the incoming light from the sun encounters a dark colored surface, it is absorbed and then converted into infra red – infra red is heat. The infra-red then rises into the atmosphere where a very small portion of it will bump into molecules of greenhouse gas, such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2). When that collision occurs, the greenhouse gas (GHG) molecule begins to vibrate slightly and then it tosses the infra red heat back toward the planet’s surface. That’s the greenhouse effect.

If the greenhouse effect did not happen, every night when the heated side of the planet turned away from the sun, the heat collected that day would all escape into space and earth would be turned into an icy and mostly lifeless planet. 

You may have already figured out that the quantity of heat that gets reflected back toward earth, depends entirely on how many molecules of greenhouse gas (GHGs) are up there in the atmosphere. The levels of GHGs in the atmosphere are always changing – slowly. Over the past few million years the levels of CO2 (the principal GHG) have ranged from a low level of 180 parts per million (ppm) to a high of 280ppm. It takes about 20,000 years for the GHG levels to rise from that low point (180ppm), to the high point of 280ppm and about 100,000 years to return to the low point. Then it starts over. 

The quantities of CO2 involved are very small -180ppm expressed as a percentage of the entire atmosphere looks like this: 0.018% or, eighteen one thousandths of one percent. That still amazes me – that’s a very small amount of stuff to be controlling something as important as the temperature of earth. Historically, at Antarctica where the measurements just mentioned were taken, the temperature increased or decreased 1ºC (1.8ºF) for every 10ppm change in the level of CO2. For perspective, the current increase in mean temperature being attributed to human additions of CO2 to the atmosphere, is about 0.6ºC. For me, these numbers are so small and take so long to change, that this greenhouse effect looks like a very sensitive system indeed, with very small additions and subtractions (10ppm change caused a 1ºC change in temperature, plus or minus) of GHGs causing profound changes in the natural environment. As of 2009, we have added 110ppm of CO2 to the normal level of CO2 to the atmosphere – the level is now 390ppm and rising. Breathtaking, don’t you think?

 (Peer reviewed research, supporting the claims made in this factoid, can be found at the web site shown below)

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off

The Greenhouse Effect: What Is It And What Can We Do About It?

Article by Erik Leipoldt

The Greenhouse Effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon whereby gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) high in the Earth’s atmosphere trap the radiation from the sun’s rays as they are reflected off the earth’s surface. This cycle keeps the planet at a steady temperature that supports life.

At natural levels this is fine, however since the Industrial Revolution in the early 19th century, humans have been releasing a lot more carbon dioxide into the air. This is making the gases in the atmosphere thicker and causing more of the sun’s radiation to be trapped in the atmosphere. In turn, this leads to rising temperatures, which we now refer to as “global warming”.

Is there anything we can do about the Greenhouse Effect?

One of the largest sources of the additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and oil. We use these fuels to generate electricity and energy for vehicles. The simple solution to reducing the rates of global warming is to develop and implement alternative energy sources and reduce our reliance on the burning of fossil fuels.

Whereas Governments and industry are making some efforts with this important goal, IPCC projections are that currently we are below necessary emission reduction targets that would avoid major climate change disasters.

Substantial amounts of money are being invested in the research and development of sustainable energy sources, such as wind, solar and hydro power. The Greenhouse Effect can also be ameliorated through the electric and hybrid car market, which is expected to rise significantly in coming years.

The most important thing to remember is that the actions of every person on the planet make a difference to the rates of global warming. People often have a tendency to think that the problem is too big and that our individual behavior will have little consequence on the cumulative amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This attitude, when adopted by millions, is one of the biggest obstacles confronting the sustainable future of the planet. And, it is the same mechanism that actually got us to the point that we are now.

What careers assist with the reducing the Greenhouse Effect?

The dangers associated with global warming have created several new industries and some interesting new career opportunities. Now is the time for people with green business ideas to implement them and work on creating a more environmentally sound future.

Governments are providing many incentives for the development of green industry and the general community is increasingly realizing just how important this is. This is generating green business opportunities that have the potential to be very profitable.

One way that you can help to reduce the release of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels is to become an energy auditor. This can actually be a financially rewarding career.

The problems associated with the greenhouse effect may be significantly reduced if people understand the ways that they can reduce their power consumption and waste in their residential and commercial properties. Becoming an energy auditor can give you knowledge and tools to really make a difference.

About the Author

Dr Erik Leipoldt has long been concerned about the effects of global warming. High quality energy audit training High quality energy audit training is one highly rewarding response.He says this is a good time to get into green careers training.

Share
posted by admin in greenhouse effect and have Comments Off