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WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING? |
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To discuss global warming we first have to know what the greenhouse effect is. It is a term coined by scientists to describe the process by which gases in the Earth's atmosphere absorb internal thermal radiation (heat from the sun) in order to keep the Earth warm. In fact without it life on earth would be hardly habitable! But how does this phenomonon of nature work? Lets take a closer look.... |
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The greenhouse effect like most things in nature, follows a basic pattern. The sun gives off energy to warm the Earth, it passes through our atmosphere and hits our planet. Most of the energy given off by the sun is absorbed by the Earth's surface. The effect of this is that the Earth emits infrared radiation a.k.a internal thermal radiation. Some gases in our atmosphere absorb this form of energy and re-emit it back to Earth causing it to heat up more than it would have on its own. |
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This effect was called the greenhouse effect because it was believed that a greenhouse stayed warm in the same manner. In reality a greenhouse stays warm because the closed windows inside it prevent the interior air from cooling by circulation. In no way does glass absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. |
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Global warming is the unnatural part of the greenhouse effect. In theory due to increased emmission of greenhouse gases scientists believe that the Earth is getting too warm. Possible effects of this could be the polar ice caps melting causing a rise in sea level. Another effect could be a drastic increase in climate temperature making some colder areas (Vermont for example) warmer, and warm areas super warm! This could lead to a change in the locations where crops grows as well as a change of living style for that place's population. However anything to do with global warming is theoretical and debated constantly. |
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