Question

Explain how does greenhouse effect cause global warming.

Answer 1

1. Greenhouse effect may be defined as the heating up of the earth surface due to trapping of infrared radiations reflected by earth’s surface by CO₂ layer in the atmosphere”. The heating up of earth through the greenhouse effect is called global warming.
2. Without the heating caused by the greenhouse effect, Earth’s average surface temperature would be only about -18 °C (CPF). Although the greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon, it is intensified by the continuous emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
3. During the past 100 years, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased by roughly 30 percent and the amount of methane more than doubled. If these trends continue, the average global temperature will increase which can lead to melting of polar ice caps and flooding of low lying areas. This will increase incidence of infectious diseases like dengue, malaria etc.