THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

The greenhouse effect is often used to explain how carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere and leads to global warming. It does indeed warm the Earth, but without it, there would be no life on our planet.
When heat from the Sun penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is absorbed and some of it is re-radiated back into space. Greenhouse gases, the most prevalent of which is water vapour at 65 – 90 percent of all greenhouse gases, intercept some of this radiation and re-radiate it in all directions, including back down toward Earth. The radiation is continually absorbed and re-emitted, warming the atmosphere and slowing the cooling of the planet.
This is a natural process, and is essential for keeping the temperature of Earth hospitable for life. Without the greenhouse effect, the average temperature of Earth would be around -18 degrees Celsius as opposed to 14.9 degrees Celsius. Life would never have existed without the greenhouse effect. Thus, carbon dioxide is not pollution: in addition to being essential for the survival of plants, it is crucial for providing all living beings with a habitable temperature in which to flourish.

[miniculous]

Thanks! I really needed it for the prep of a debate competition!

[muasteven]

I'll be alert for more lessons made.