The Greenhouse
Effect Mujahid Zaman
Despite its connotation, the
greenhouse effect is not inherently a bad thing. In fact it is one of the main
reason the Earth is an inhabitable planet, the reason Earth can sustain life.
In simple terms, the effect allows for the atmosphere to stay warm by trapping
heat from the sun on the Earth’s surface. This can be analogized to the inside
of a car heating up in the summer sunlight, even though this is not a perfect
explanation. To explain further, most of the energy from sunlight is absorbed
by the Earth’s surface (about 70%)- this energy goes to the plants, land, even
the ocean. The rest of the energy is reflected back outward into the sky, but
the absorbed energy is also radiated by the surface at a higher wavelength than
the sunlight entering the atmosphere. This is where greenhouse gases come into
play- they block this radiation from escaping into space and thus keep the
Earth’s temperature relatively high.
The reason the greenhouse effect is
seen as a problem, however, is the involvement of the human population. An
increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, particularly of
carbon dioxide, is a cause for worry as it has caused a small but continuous
increase in the Earth’s average temperature. This increase is thought to be a
reason for the changes in climate patterns and the melting of polar ice caps,
which could cause the extinctions of many animals and destruction of coastal cities/human
populations overtime. Human burning of fossil fuel for energy is a major
producer of this carbon dioxide, and is one of the main causes attributed to
global warming.
Almost everything we use in our
homes that requires
power that comes
from the burning of fossil fuels, and indirectly releases carbon dioxide into
the air, which is why the most important step for the future is to lower our
average energy usage as well as look to alternative energy sources that do not
require any combustion. Research and development in the fields of nuclear
reactivity, solar, wind, and geothermal power sources should be at the
forefront of human interest, because without them the world will lose all that
makes it the nurturing planet it is.
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Mariam Mohsin
Fighting the Greenhouse
Effect
The
greenhouse effect is the earth’s natural warming process. It is the process that allows sunlight to enter
the earth’s atmosphere freely. It must be kept balanced to keep the earth’s
temperature constant so humans, animals, and plants can live. Excess greenhouse
gasses prevent heat from escaping into space and cause global warming.
Humans
use up large amounts of the earth’s natural resources, and tend to forget what
harms the environment. Large amounts of the greenhouse gasses, which include methane,
water vapor, ozone, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, get in the way of the
Greenhouse Effect, by trapping heat. Too much gas causes an imbalance in the
earth’s atmosphere, causing the planet to heat up. Burning oil, natural gas,
fossil fuels, and coal causes carbon dioxide to be released into the
atmosphere. Cutting down trees and burning them leaves the same effect.
Chlorofluorocarbons are used to make cans, fridges, foam plastics, and
hairsprays. Small amounts in the atmosphere can trap large amounts of
heat.
If
large amounts of heat are trapped on the earth, the climate will change. In
some regions, summers will become drier and hotter, while winters will be
rainier. Changes in the amount of rainfall will affect the farming industry by
causing a shortage of food. There will also be a greater demand for water all
over the world. High temperatures will cause see levels to rise as ice melts
and flows into the sea. This will cause flooding in low-lying coastal areas,
forcing people to move from their houses, and adapt to a whole new way of life.
As ice melts, more and more animals will also lose their homes, and species may
become extinct.
The overall effect of the greenhouse
effect depends on what people do to reduce climate change in the world. The
most important steps that can be taken to avoid the earth from heating up is
reducing the amount of energy used by using less electricity, carpooling, and
recycling.
I think the first student's perspective is quite interesting. Everyone has heard of the global warming trend, ice caps melting, flooding, severe weather, mass extinction etc etc. But I'd like to bring forth the argument that first-world nations are using this theory as an oppressive tool by putting emission restrictions on everyone. Developed countries don't have it as bad as developing countries. Developed countries can easily comply by cutting back in production or just use an alternative energy source to meet their requirements. Developing countries, on the other hand, can no longer develop because of these restrictions. They don't have the choice to switch to a different energy source, as it could prove very costly. Furthermore, if they do not change their habits, they will be fined or punished for over-polluting the environment; thus, they will remain as "developing" countries.
ReplyDeleteI must say that I do agree with the first student's essay in which the green house effect is not a bad thing because it makes humans live on earth by providing a warm atmosphere. However, both students argue that because of the human population, many gases are formed such as carbon dioxide, which can trap heat in the atmosphere and cause temperatures to rise, or in other words, global warming. Global warming leads to damage of the ozone layer, melting of the polar ice caps and it also causes skin cancer.
ReplyDeleteCarbon dioxide increases due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation which can harm the economy. People commit deforestation to grow crops which can produce carbon dioxide that can overcome oxygen and could pose a threat to human population because humans need oxygen in order for survival. Carbon dioxide also increases the acidity of the oceans, since it forms carbonic acid when it dissolves in water, which has a bad effect on sea life. Both students agree that when large amounts of heat are trapped, the climate can change. There really is no solution to global warming, however to improve, people in many countries cut down on deforestation and lower energy usage. Many countries now renew energy resources such as wind, solar, and geothermal are available around the world. Multiple studies have shown that renewable energy has the technical potential and ability to meet our energy needs.
I agree, with both students, that excessive pollution due to release of gases into the atmosphere has bad effects on the Earth. According to the EPA, "Our proposed endangerment finding is based on rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific analysis of six gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride) that have been the subject of intensive analysis by scientists around the world. The science clearly shows that concentrations of these gases are at unprecedented levels as a result of human emissions, and these high levels are very likely the cause of the increase in average temperatures and other changes in our climate." This is described as global warming. Former U.S generals have told the EPA that a possible effect of global warming is increased violence. There will be more competition for resources since there will be less of them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first student when he stated the the greenhouse effect "is not necessarily a bad thing." It isn't a bad thing at all, but we have caused it to happen so much that it is a bad thing when we reflect on the state of our environment. It's March in Chicago and its snowed about 4 times this winter. As the second essay states, winters are getting rainier and this will cause more problems for us in the future. The best thing we can do at this point is limit our production of greenhouse gases without decreasing the productivity of our industries.
ReplyDeleteBurning fossil fuels and deforestation has led to an enhanced greenhouse effect. Man can attempt to reverse the effect, as one above mentioned, by the simple means of "reducing the amount of energy used by using less electricity, carpooling, and recycling". We should take action, even if its minimal for it is not certain how much longer the poor polar bears can endure the severe fate we have thus far doomed them to.
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ReplyDeletethe melting of the polar ice caps, increases in the average global temperature, migration and extinction of various species are just some of the many consequences of the green house effect on earth.
ReplyDeleteThere are many natural contributors to the greenhouse effect, however man is the most significant contributor. Man can help to reduce this green house effect but out of their own laziness, choose not to.
Like previous students have mentioned, the greenhouse effect, in this day and age, has assumed a negative connotation. People talk big talks about global warming, yet how often have we ever taken any significant measures to address the issue? Yes, national as well as international measures should be taken in order to mitigate the effects of global warming, but the power of individuals, when combined, should not be undermined. Imagine if every single person on earth thought, "oh i'm just one person, it's not like i'll make that much of a difference." This attitude will literally kill us- if not us, then our future generations. We've already raised the temperature of the entire earth by one degree, and if one degree is enough to melt the Arctic, then it's best if we avoid reaching four or five.
ReplyDeleteOne alternative that Mujahid mentioned was the use of Nuclear power instead of fossil fuels. Nuclear power is much more efficient than fossil fuels, and produces significantly less waste, so it would seem like a no-brainer to replace the one with the other. However, this is not what happens, mainly due to the stigma surrounding nuclear waste and a general disregard for greenhouse gases by a large percent of the populace.
ReplyDeleteEven though the effects of nuclear power are virtually non-existent now with safer holding methods and improved technology, there is a direct threat to people, whereas with greenhouse gases the threat is more indirect. We must realize that greenhouse gases pose a greater danger to mankind and our planet in the long run, and that if we continue skirting the issue, we will eventually pay the consequences.
As the saying goes, too much of anything is bad for you. While both students are right in regards to how greenhouse gases are actually good for the planet, too much will destroy it. If we continue to produce too many greenhouse gases they will negatively impact the environment in ways we don't predict. We didn't predict the deterioration of the Ozone layer and we certainly did not predict the melting of the Arctic. The point is, we must understand what we are doing and how it will affect the environment before produce something- in this case products that emit CO2. While this is still an impending issue, it teaches us the lesson that not every open door is one we should take.
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