Entry #8: The Greenhouse Effect 6/13/2011

Life on Earth is possible due in part to the natural greenhouse effect that keeps our planet warm enough to support life. The greenhouse effect is a natural effect that occurs when gases in Earth’s atmosphere traps heat. Earth’s atmosphere protects animal and plant life from a number of things, such as extreme hot or cold temperatures and harmful UV (ultra violet) rays from the sun. The atmosphere acts as a blanket that insulates us by keeping heat in and keeping the earth from freezing. Without this process, the earth would be nearly as cold as Mars, and life as we know it would not exist. Most greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere; however, human activities are changing the earth’s natural greenhouse effect. How do humans contribute to the green house effect? Human activities are adding tremendous amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere at a far greater rate than are necessary to warm the Earth to an ideal temperature.


In our highly industrialized world, these emissions have increased exponentially. These daily additions have begun significantly increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere thereby enhancing their shielding effect. These gases include carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbon, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and methane. The shielding effect causes the temperatures to be warmer than normal. The effects of these emissions on our atmosphere are having damaging long-term consequences.

For hundreds of years, tremendous amounts of greenhouse gases has been emitted into the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels continuous use of oil and coal from power plants and gasoline for automobile engines results in the release of pollutants into the atmosphere. These fuels are used daily in industry, transportation, and residence. Everyday household items such as hairspray and aerosol cleaners also add to the pollution levels by increasing the amount of chlorofluorocarbons in the air. In addition, air conditioners and refrigerators also release enormous amounts of gas, even when they are not in use. The gases released from industry and homes remain in our atmosphere for long periods. The use of automobiles and other transportation such as ships, trains, and airplanes have also helped to speed up the effects of global warming. Many Americans go around driving big SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and other large cars. These different modes of transportation, regardless of whether they use petroleum or diesel fuel, create pollution that releases harmful gases into the atmosphere. This is considerable and growing evidence that these activities are altering and increasing the natural balance of the greenhouse effect and warming the earth’s atmosphere.

Humanity has come a long way throughout the years and with that, our planet we call Earth has taken a brutal beating. Many people do not believe that we are destroying Earth. Humans are part of the main reason for the excess amounts of pollution been released into the atmosphere. We all are aware that greenhouse gases are being emitted, but many of us do not make an effort to slow down the process by monitoring our contribution to the greenhouse effect. This greenhouse effect crisis is truly the result of The Tragedy of the Commons, just because no one owns the atmosphere; no one has a sufficient reason to take account of the change to the atmosphere caused by his or her release of carbon. In addition, carbon released has the same effect no matter where it happens. The question now becomes how do we reverse or better yet reduce the amount of emissions of greenhouse gases? I think the first step is that people need to realize that this is a major problem, and that we could have an impact on slowing down the greenhouse effect depending on our efforts. By performing simple tasks such as turning off lights, appliances, and electrical equipment when they are not in use, we can significantly reduce greenhouse emissions. Another step can be replacing trees that we cut down to make room for these new developments these are small steps that I feel most people can incorporate into their daily lives; I am doing my part what about you?