Surname 1 Greenhouse Effect and its Implication on Global Warming Greenhouse effect refers to an atmospheric process by which short

wavelenghts of the visible light from the sun pass through the atmosphere where they are absorbed or trapped. However, part of light emitted from the sun in form of longwave is re-radiated from heated obects on the earths surface in to the atmosphere. Presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere does not allow the radiations to pass through. The greenhouse gas moelecules are more complex than any air molecule and their structure has high heat absorption capacity. The heat radiated back to the earths surface to modulate its temperature (Davis, 9). According to Parsons (23), this process is essential in order to support life. if this does not occur, the temperatues on the earth surcface would be below frezing point and plant or animal life would be supported. however, human activtities in the past centuries have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which inturn have increased the average temperature on the earths surface. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, caborndixoide, nitrous oxide and methane. Acording to a report released by IPCC in 2007, there was a significant increase in production of greenhouse gases between the 19th and 20th century (Davis, 11).

Fig. 1 showing increase in greenhouse gases

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According to the diagram, radiative forcing of the respective gases depends with their concentration in the atmosphere. Causes of greenhouse Gases and their impact Increase in population has led to increased transportation and manufacturing. This implies rise in the combustion of fossil fuels including oil, gas and coal. Combustion of fossil fuels leads to emission of, among others, carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and this account for over 80% of the Carbon dioxide emission (Alastair, 77). Parsons (25) notes that the gases produced are more stable that stay very long in the atmosphere. Deforestation is a human activity which involves cutting down of trees. Major causes of deforestation include human settlement and wood for industrial use. It is important to note that trees and other vegetative

Surname 3 cover play an important role in atmospheric balancing process by consuming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Reduced absorption of carbon dioxide leads to its accumulation in the atmosphere. Electrical appliances and chemicals are also sources of greenhouse gases. Refrigerators, fire extinguishers chemicals, aerosols and some industrial packages are major sources of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This chemical compound is also very strong and can stay in the atmosphere for a very long period of time. Chlorofluorocarbons are seemingly environmentally safe, non-toxic and stable chemical compounds at lower atmospheric levels. However, their stability allows them to ascend to the stratosphere where they end up being broken down by Ultraviolet light to Chlorine and Bromine. These two compounds deplete ozone layer. Depletion of the ozone layer exposes harmful UV radiations to human skins causing sunburns, skin cancer, premature skin aging and eye complications (Parsons, 45). According to (Davis, 13), methane is also a very dangerous greenhouse gas and which ranks second after carbon dioxide. Methane is normally emitted into the atmosphere as a result of agricultural practices. During digestion, herbivores animals release methane from their intestines and therefore, increased livestock farming has increased emission of methane into the air. Breakdown of organic matter by bacteria under oxygen starved environments like those in rice paddies leads to emission of methane in to the atmosphere. Some ice found in the Arctic seabed contains methane compounds and therefore, increased atmospheric temperature leads to emission of Methane. Some chemical fertilizers also contribute to accumulation of greenhouse gases and subsequent global warming effect. High nitrogen content in fertilizers increases soil capacity to trap heat and thus also contributes to rise in surface temperature. Leaching of excess fertilizers into water bodies create dead zones (Davis, 17).

Surname 4 The rise in atmospheric temperature as a result of greenhouse effect melts glaziers leading to runoffs into seas. The sea water also warm and thermally expands, raising the surface level of water. According to Parsons (51), this rise in sea level has been responsible for displacement of over 600 million people living in low lying regions. This has also been the cause of rising frequency of ocean tides and killer storms including tsunami and hurricanes which over time, have killed and or displaced millions of people. Alastair (92) notes that the future is riskier since the sea level is rising at approximately 30cm in a year on average. Increased atmospheric temperature increases the rate of water evaporation. Though evaporated water condenses to form rain clouds, such rains may be unevenly distributed causing dry weather conditions in some regions (Alastair, 93). Evaporation in dry areas compromises plant life since their survival depends on water. This in turn comprises food production. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a result of poor vegetative cover may also subject human life to health hazards. Solutions to Greenhouse Effect The problem of greenhouse effect cannot be solved completely; however, application of existing methods can help reduce the level of greenhouses gases accumulation and emission in the atmosphere. One best way to reduce accumulation of carbon dioxide is to plant more trees or vegetative cover. In the process of photosynthesis, trees consume carbon dioxide and in the process, reduce its level in the atmosphere (Davis, 57). There is also need to enforce carbon footprint policies and charge countries respective of their net impact on the environment. Although it is challenging to measure the harm caused by each country, carbon footprint encourage carbon offsetting and environmental awareness (Alastair, 102).

Surname 5 Carbon storage is also another very efficient solution to greenhouse effect. In a process called Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), carbon is diverted from the point of emission such as coal-fired power plant exhaust stack to an underground geological formation. For example: depleted gas and oil field, saline aquifer and un-minable seam among others. According to Jacobson (287), geological formation may store up to 2000 Gigatonnes of carbon dioxide as compared to average of 30 Gigatonnes produced in a year. Another possible way could be influencing the demand-side energy conservation among consumers. This will aim at reducing emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Strategies here may include using fuel efficient cars or public means instead of driving, replacing fossil fuel consuming plants with green energy consuming plants and designing structures that use solar energy (Jacobson, 289). Most developing countries do not consider greenhouse effect as a major problem and despite having fewer industries; they have contributed significantly in the production of greenhouse gases. Therefore, it is important for developed countries to promote greenhouse effect awareness in these countries. There is also need to fund research and development to find alternative and more efficient forms of energy in the world (Davis, 63). Conclusion Greenhouse effect is a challenge to the world that has not yet found a solution. Human activity, though justified by need, has been the central cause of the increased levels of greenhouse gases. The impacts of greenhouse effects are long-term and severe for future generations. Use of green energy, demand side energy conservation, carbon capturing and afforestation are some of the common ways through which emission of greenhouse gases can be

Surname 6 reduced. Though not perfect solutions, they can help reduce the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Works Cited Alastair, Nelson. Climate Change and Global Warming: Facts, Fiction or Conspiracy. New York: McGraw hill, 2012. Print.

Surname 7 Davis, Robert. The Greenhouse Effect: Warming the Earth. Minnesota: Capstone Press Inc, 2006. Print. Jacobson, Mark. Air Pollution and Global Warming: History, Science and Solutions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Print. Parsons, Michael Global Warming: The Truth Behind the Myth. New York: Plenum Press, 2005. Print.