Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
We need Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gasesare essential for life on earth as theyabsorb heat in the atmosphere, so it does not escape and keep our Earth warm.
The major greenhouses gases are:Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Hydrochloroflurocarbons.
Greenhouse Effect
Unfortunately, as human activities are increasing rapidly, the level of greenhouse gases is rising too high. This has caused the average temperature of the Earth to rise too and enhance a global warming.
Some human activities that cause this greenhouse effect are:
- Deforestation
Massive deforestation causes a reduction in the absorption of carbon dioxide by plants. When forests are cut down, carbon previously absorbed in trees and soil is released into the atmosphere as CO2.
- Industrial Processes
Industrial processes such as cement, iron-steel and chemical production can produce CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases.
- Use of Freon and CFCs
The use of chemicals such as freons and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in refrigerants, air conditioners and aerosols results in the emission of powerful greenhouse gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).
- Gasoline Fuel
Gasoline fuel used in cars and motorbikes will produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas will have a big impact on global warming. This carbon dioxide gas will capture hot light. However, this hot light cannot be channelled into outer space, which ultimately returns to earth and has a negative impact on air pollution on earth.
Climate Change Due to Global Warming
As the air temperature affects rainfall, cloud, and wind patterns, so the rise of average temperatures causes the change of climates on the Earth too. Glaciers and polar ice caps melt, then global water levels rise in sea and ocean levels, thus it will cause low-lying countries at risk of flooding. There will be more storms, floods, and wildfires happen on Earth. Places with high rain level will become very dry, and other
Places will get much wetter.
What can we do to reduce the greenhouse effect?
- Reduce Private Vehicles
Oil-fueled vehicles such as cars and motorbikes are the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The more vehicle users there are, the higher the carbon emission pollution they produce.
To prevent the increase in greenhouse gases, a solution that we can start early is to use public transportation facilities.
Apart from reducing carbon emissions, using public transportation can also reduce traffic jams. We can also start using a bicycle when commuting.
- Limiting Air Conditioning Use
The solution to reducing the greenhouse effect can also be realized by limiting the use of air conditioning machines at homes. Every air conditioner generally uses CFC or chlorofluorocarbon gas. Even though it is useful for daily needs, excessive use of CFC gas can make the earth’s ozone layer thinner.
- Reduce the Use of Single-Use Plastics
Plastic waste can also produce greenhouse gases. This is because plastic waste that cannot decompose completely in the ground will generally be burned. The process of this burning will emit carbon gases.
In this way, final disposal sites become areas that produce greenhouse gases which can threaten the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, awareness of the use of plastic waste in society must be increased. That way, everyone will be wiser in plastic products consumption.
- Efficient Use of Electricity as a Solution to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Electricity has become an important part of everyday life because of the use of technology today. However, the production of electrical energy which increases every day has actually become one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in the country. Especially if the electrical energy comes from non-renewable fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.
To prevent excessive use of electricity we can use the sun as a light source in the day time instead of a lamp, or as a natural heat source when drying laundry. These simple steps can have a sizable effect in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.