Greenhouse Effect 101

The greenhouse effect explains how earth retains more heat from the sun than it receives.

Basically, the earth is constantly receiving the sun’s rays.  Some of that energy is absorbed by water or earth.  Some is reflected back into space.  Some of the energy is trapped by so-called “greenhouse gases” and reflected back down to earth.

This reflection, allows the sun’s rays to have an amplified effect on the earth, warming it many times over before that energy dissipates into space.

The layer of greenhouse gases that reflect the sun’s energy are generally in a constant state, rising and falling with earth’s natural cycles of ice ages and warm periods.*

Since the industrial age started in the late 1800’s humans have had a huge impact on global greenhouse gases by burning fossil fuels and emitting other gases such as methane and water vapor.  We have increased the concentration of CO2 unnaturally quickly from about 250 parts per million (ppm) to about 350ppm. **

This is an alarming increase, much faster than any increase that has happened naturally in the past.  This warming of only a few degrees can cause huge climactic shifts, damaging storm and drought events and alter natural ecosystems.  All affect humans directly by altering where we can live due to raising sea levels and strange weather patterns, increased damage to our civilizations and reductions in our ability to survive on earth.

Reduce your impact

These effects can be reduced and countered if we act now to reduce our own emissions, and offset what we can’t.  The US is responsible for over 25% of emissions with only 4% of worldwide population.***  Obviously, we can do more to reduce our emissions.

Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore’s presentation on global warming, explains the greenhouse effect the best I have ever seen. It takes about 2 minutes and is amazingly effective.  Please rent or buy this DVD and see for yourself.  Or check out  wikipedia's article "global warming" for detailed, cited information.

View my next guide "Global Warming 202 " to see what you can do to stop global warming!

eBay guides will not let me insert website sources.  Here they are without the URL, they're also cited in my Carbon Kit Listings .  Or contact me and I will email them to you.
*Climate crisis
** Stop Global Warming