The Greenhouse Effect is an extremely vital process where INFRARED (IR) rays from the sun come into the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere then traps these rays after they have come in (like the glass in a greenhouse), keeping the Earth warm and habitable. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄), are destroying the atmosphere, causing more INFRARED (IR) rays to reflect on Earth.

Having more infrared rays reflected on Earth makes the Earth warmer. As temperatures on Earth rise, so does the ocean water level and the ice caps begin to melt. The worst possible scenario with this problem would be mass flooding in low-lying areas of the Earth, including many islands in the ocean that would basically disappear. Most of Florida would be underwater, all coastline cities, and river deltas such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Egypt, Louisiana and other parts of the U.S. It will also cause more tropical storms, hurricanes, extreme temperatures and droughts.

The main causes of the Greenhouse Effect are gases called CO₂ (carbon dioxide), N₂O (nitrous oxide), and CH₄ (methane). Small amounts of CO₂ in the air help keep heat in the Earth, in the vital process of the Greenhouse Effect. As car exhausts and industries continue to shoot CO₂ in the air, the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere will increase. This causes more heat to be kept in, increasing the Earth’s temperature. Methane and Nitrous Oxide has the same effects as CO₂ , but they have a less harmful effect on the Greenhouse Effect.

• If the Greenhouse Effect is being treated the way it is now, the polar ice caps would gradually melt, resulting in climate changes, more hurricanes and tropical storms, and mass flooding on Earth. This is called Global Warming.
• To prevent Global Warming we must reduce usage of greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide).
• Carbon dioxide is usually produced from industry and automobile usage. We can increase automobile efficiency by carpooling, walking, cycling, or using public transportation. Also, the electric car may soon be available to the public. (With this you must remember that if coal power plants, oil power plants, or other fossil fuel burning power plants are used to power the car, then it does not help the problem much.)
• Preventing forest fires, and stopping the depletion of trees can reduce the amount of methane in the air. Only humans can cut down trees or burn forests.
• Nitrous oxide usage can be reduced by not using nitrogen-based fertilizers. Using fossil fuel power plants for electricity less and less can also prevent it. Nitrous oxide also comes from automobile exhaust.
• The Greenhouse Effect is probably the most serious problem on Earth. By reducing greenhouse gas emission usage little by little we can help the environment by preventing Global Warming

Answer the following questions on a separate sheet. You must copy out the question, and neatly put the answer below each question. (12)

Include the title “The Green House Effect”.

1. Briefly describe what the Green House Effect (GHE) is.
2. How is the GHE good?
3. How is the GHE bad?
4. What causes the GHE?
5. How can the GHE be controlled?
6. What will eventually happen to the Earth if this problem is not overcome?