Greenhouse Gases - Facts

Our planet is in trouble. And the worst part is, we know that very well. Sunlight enters our atmosphere freely, ozone layer is depleting, global warming is increasing, and temperature is rising. All because of the greenhouse gases, which are nothing but responsible for allowing the sunlight to enter the Earth's atmosphere without any blockage. While infra-red radiations are supposed to be reflected back towards the space, the greenhouse gases absorb this radiation, thus, trapping the heat in the atmosphere. These gases have covered the surface of the earth, which has resulted in the Earth being 33 degree Celsius warmer than it would actually be, had these gases not been present. Hard-hitting fact, I know! For some startling facts, take a look at the content that is to follow below. Even if they fail to contribute to the effective measures of combating this critical environmental issue, these scientific facts on greenhouse effect as well as gases can create the necessary awareness among world masses.

Interesting Facts on Greenhouse Gases

• About 50 percent of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the surface of the earth. While the heat that is radiated back to space is sensible heat in the form of latent heat as well as infra-red radiation. The Earth's atmosphere absorbs these radiations, and emits them in all directions. On the other hand, the radiation that was lost to space, comes from atmospheric regions with a temperature much, much colder than the surface of the earth. This is called the greenhouse effect and global warming which is a universally witnessed result of it.
• Greenhouse gases comprise Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Nitrous Oxide (NO₂), and a few other gases in small quantities. However, these gases have significantly increased as a result of revolution and pollution. Burning of fossil fuels, agriculture, industrial plants, etc. have done nothing but augmented the production of these gases, thereby, depleting the ozone layer. One of the most astonishing greenhouse gas facts is that the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere today is way higher than it was in the last 650,000 years, and the last 10 years have witnessed the increase more than any decade.
• Scientists in the early twentieth century discovered that Nitrogen and Oxygen could not absorb any kind of infra-red radiation. Instead, it was gases like Carbon Dioxide and water vapor in the form of clouds, that could absorb the radiations. However, later, it was unleashed that had these gases not been present in the atmosphere, the temperature of planet Earth would be much lower than it is now.
• The impacts of greenhouse gases on planet Earth are not just limited to risen temperatures and climate change. The gas emissions are capable of affecting our health, leading to famines and drought, prove fatal to our agricultural systems, and air conditioning. What's more, in case of air travel, each mile generates more than half a pound of CO₂ per person, which means that, in a usual one-way flight, each person is responsible for producing no less than 600 pounds of CO₂ emissions.
• It would be interesting to know that while greenhouse gases are usually transparent to the incoming solar radiation, they are totally opaque to the radiation of the Earth. Oxygen and ozone are meant to absorb the incoming UV.

That said, one of the most astonishing facts is that, due to substantial change in the temperature all over the world, we can feel the risen degrees with each day passing by. Due to this, melting glaciers have created a nuisance by bringing about floods, and water levels have risen globally. Global warming has put islands into trouble, animals into extinction, and vegetation to reduce. Hopeful as I am, these facts must have startled you with the current situation of our planet Earth. It's high time we understand the impacts of climate change, and do our necessary bit of contribution to save our planet. All I know is that, the right time to start caring about our mother Earth is... now!