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The Green House Effect & Its Importance to Humans

The greenhouse effect is the process of the Earth's atmosphere catching the energy sent from the sun. Without the energy from the sun being captured, the Earth's average temperature would be 60 degrees cooler.

  1. Greenhouse Gases Defined

    • Greenhouse gases include water vapors, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Some of these chemicals occur naturally, like methane from livestock. Other greenhouse gases, like nitrous oxide, are formed from industrial activities.

    High Levels of Greenhouse Gas

    • Too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can heat the Earth to unsafe temperatures.

    Benefits of Greenhouse Gases

    • Without the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, the Earth would be too cold to support life.

    Effects on Land and Crops

    • If greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, icecaps would start melting more rapidly, causing widespread flooding and disrupting crop production. Food may become scarce and with rising sea levels, people may lose their homes to flooding.

    Effects of High Greenhouse Gases on Humans

    • With increased temperatures worldwide, more people may become victims to heat stress. Also, increased greenhouse gases may lower the quality of the air we breathe.

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