Causes of Global Warming
Greenhouse gases are so called because they interfere with the reflection of solar radiation off the earth's surface back into space. This interference keeps this radiation in the atmosphere which results in the gradual warming of the atmosphere.
One consequences of retaining this heat within the atmosphere is that the atmosphere will get warmer, exactly how warm is not known.
A serious consequence of global warming, and one that we would seem to be seeing around our planet at this time, is the increase in the sea levels. The UK appears to be losing land (mainly from cliffs being undermined by waves) to the sea at an increased rate. It is impossible to be certain that this land loss is down to global warming, but it is an expected consequence of higher sea levels.
Aerosols cause damage to our environment. The situation was much worse a while ago before CFCs were banned, but the problem is still occurring from other chemicals, in particular methane.
Effects of greenhouse gases
The main culprit is carbon dioxide (CO2). This is produced by all animals and plants when they exhale. They take in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat and keeps it within the atmosphere, this is one of the major causes of global warming.
Click here for the effects of carbon dioxide
Plants and animals
Methane is a damaging gas that is produced mainly from raising animals.
The destruction of the rain forests and many woods, forests and trees around the world are adding to the globally warming problem.! Trees absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Each tree, on average, will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. Of couse when trees are eventually burnt for fuel, then the carbon dixide is released at that point!
Techniques need to be developed for carbon sequestration so that carbon is not released into the atmosphere but is captured and permanently stored, possibly underground.
Top causes of climate change