The greenhouse effect is most affected. What is the greenhouse effect and what is its essence?

The greenhouse effect is an increase in the temperature of the earth's surface due to the heating of the lower layers of the atmosphere by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. As a result, the air temperature is higher than it should be, and this leads to irreversible consequences such as climate change and. Several centuries ago this existed, but was not so obvious. With the development of technology, the number of sources that provide the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere increases every year.

Causes of the greenhouse effect

We cannot avoid talking about the environment, its pollution, and the dangers of the greenhouse effect. To understand the mechanism of action of this phenomenon, it is necessary to determine its causes, discuss the consequences and decide how to combat this environmental problem before it is too late. The causes of the greenhouse effect are as follows:

the use of combustible minerals in industry - coal, oil, natural gas, the combustion of which releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful compounds into the atmosphere;
transport – cars and trucks emit exhaust gases, which also pollute the air and increase the greenhouse effect;
, which absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and with the destruction of every tree on the planet, the amount of CO2 in the air increases;
– another source of destruction of plants on the planet;
an increase in population affects the increase in demand for food, clothing, housing, and to ensure this, industrial production is growing, which increasingly pollutes the air with greenhouse gases;
agrochemicals and fertilizers contain varying amounts of compounds, the evaporation of which releases nitrogen, one of the greenhouse gases;
The decomposition and combustion of waste in landfills contributes to the increase in greenhouse gases.

The influence of the greenhouse effect on climate

Considering the results of the greenhouse effect, we can determine that the main one is climate change. As the air temperature increases every year, the waters of the seas and oceans evaporate more intensely. Some scientists predict that in 200 years the phenomenon of “drying” of the oceans will become noticeable, namely a significant decrease in water levels. This is one side of the problem. The other is that rising temperatures lead to the melting of glaciers, which contributes to rising water levels in the World Ocean and leads to the flooding of the coasts of continents and islands. The increase in the number of floods and flooding of coastal areas indicates that the level of ocean waters is increasing every year.

An increase in air temperature leads to the fact that areas that are little moistened by precipitation become arid and unsuitable for life. Crops are dying here, which leads to a food crisis for the population of the area. Also, there is no food for the animals, since plants die out due to lack of water.

Many people have already become accustomed to weather and climate conditions throughout their lives. As air temperatures rise due to the greenhouse effect, global warming occurs on the planet. People cannot withstand high temperatures. For example, if previously the average summer temperature was +22-+27, then an increase to +35-+38 leads to sunstroke and heatstroke, dehydration and problems with the cardiovascular system, and there is a high risk of stroke. In case of abnormal heat, experts give people the following recommendations:

— reduce the number of movements on the street;
- reduce physical activity;
- avoid direct sunlight;
— increase the consumption of simple purified water to 2-3 liters per day;
- cover your head from the sun with a hat;
- If possible, spend time during the day in a cool room.

How to minimize the greenhouse effect

Knowing how greenhouse gases arise, it is necessary to eliminate their sources in order to stop global warming and other negative consequences of the greenhouse effect. Even one person can change something, and if relatives, friends, and acquaintances join him, they will set an example for other people. This is a much larger number of conscious inhabitants of the planet who will direct their actions to preserve the environment.

First of all, we need to stop deforestation and plant new trees and shrubs, as they absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. By using electric vehicles, the amount of exhaust gases will be reduced. In addition, you can switch from cars to bicycles, which is more convenient, cheaper and better for the environment. Alternative fuels are also being developed, which, unfortunately, are slowly being introduced into our daily lives.

An entertaining video about the greenhouse effect

The most important solution to the problem of the greenhouse effect is to attract the attention of the world community to it, and also to do everything in our power to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas accumulation. If you plant a few trees, you will already be of great help to our planet.

The impact of the greenhouse effect on human health

The primary consequences of the greenhouse effect are on the climate and the environment, but no less detrimental is its impact on human health. It's like a time bomb: many years later we will be able to see the consequences, but we will not be able to change anything.

Scientists predict that people with a low and unstable financial situation are most susceptible to diseases. If people eat poorly and do not receive certain food products due to lack of money, this will lead to malnutrition, hunger and the development of diseases (not only the gastrointestinal tract system). Since the greenhouse effect causes abnormal heat in the summer, the number of people with cardiovascular diseases increases every year. This is how people’s blood pressure increases or decreases, heart attacks and epilepsy attacks occur, fainting and heat strokes occur.

An increase in air temperature leads to the development of the following diseases and epidemics:

These diseases spread geographically very quickly as high atmospheric temperatures facilitate the movement of various infections and disease vectors. These are various animals and insects, such as Tsetse flies, encephalitis ticks, malaria mosquitoes, birds, mice, etc. From warm latitudes, these carriers move to the north, so people living there are exposed to diseases because they do not have immunity to them.

Thus, the greenhouse effect causes global warming, and this leads to many ailments and infectious diseases. As a result of epidemics, thousands of people die in different countries of the world. By combating the problem of global warming and the greenhouse effect, we will be able to improve the environment and, as a result, people’s health.

The greenhouse effect is an increase in the temperature of the earth's surface due to the heating of the lower layers of the atmosphere by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. As a result, the air temperature is higher than it should be, and this leads to irreversible consequences such as climate change and global warming. Several centuries ago this environmental problem existed, but was not so obvious. With the development of technology, the number of sources that provide the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere increases every year.

Causes of the greenhouse effect

the use of combustible minerals in industry - coal, oil, natural gas, the combustion of which releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful compounds into the atmosphere;

transport – cars and trucks emit exhaust gases, which also pollute the air and increase the greenhouse effect;

deforestation, which absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, and with the destruction of every tree on the planet, the amount of CO2 in the air increases;

forest fires are another source of destruction of plants on the planet;

an increase in population affects the increase in demand for food, clothing, housing, and to ensure this, industrial production is growing, which increasingly pollutes the air with greenhouse gases;

agrochemicals and fertilizers contain varying amounts of compounds, the evaporation of which releases nitrogen, one of the greenhouse gases;

The decomposition and combustion of waste in landfills contributes to the increase in greenhouse gases.

The influence of the greenhouse effect on climate

19. Ozone layer: significance, composition, possible causes of its destruction, protective measures taken.

Earth's ozone layer- this is the region of the Earth's atmosphere in which ozone is formed - a gas that protects our planet from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Destruction and depletion of the Earth's ozone layer.

The ozone layer, despite its enormous importance for all living things, is a very fragile barrier to ultraviolet rays. Its integrity depends on a number of conditions, but nature nevertheless came to a balance in this matter, and for many millions of years the Earth’s ozone layer successfully coped with the mission entrusted to it. The processes of formation and destruction of the ozone layer were strictly balanced until man appeared on the planet and reached the current technical level in his development.

In the 70s twentieth century, it was proven that many substances actively used by humans in economic activities can significantly reduce ozone levels in Earth's atmosphere.

Substances that destroy the Earth's ozone layer include fluorochlorocarbons - freons (gases used in aerosols and refrigerators, consisting of chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms), combustion products during high-altitude aircraft flights and rocket launches, i.e. substances whose molecules contain chlorine or bromine.

These substances, released into the atmosphere at the surface of the Earth, reach the top within 10-20 years. ozone layer boundaries. There, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, they decompose, forming chlorine and bromine, which, in turn, interact with stratospheric ozone, significantly reducing its amount.

Causes of destruction and depletion of the Earth's ozone layer.

Let us consider again in more detail the reasons for the destruction of the Earth's ozone layer. At the same time, we will not consider the natural decay of ozone molecules. We will focus on human economic activity.

Greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases are gases that are believed to cause the global greenhouse effect.

The main greenhouse gases, in order of their estimated impact on the Earth's thermal balance, are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, halocarbons and nitrous oxide.

water vapor

Water vapor is the main natural greenhouse gas, responsible for more than 60% of the effect. Direct anthropogenic impact on this source is insignificant. At the same time, an increase in the Earth's temperature caused by other factors increases evaporation and the total concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere at almost constant relative humidity, which in turn increases the greenhouse effect. Thus, some positive feedback occurs.

Methane

A gigantic eruption of methane accumulated under the seabed 55 million years ago warmed the Earth by 7 degrees Celsius.

The same thing can happen now - this assumption was confirmed by researchers from NASA. Using computer simulations of ancient climates, they tried to better understand the role of methane in climate change. Currently, most research on the greenhouse effect focuses on the role of carbon dioxide in this effect, although methane's potential for retaining heat in the atmosphere exceeds the ability of carbon dioxide by 20 times.

A variety of gas-powered household appliances are contributing to the increase in methane content in the atmosphere.

Over the past 200 years, methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled due to decomposition of organic matter in swamps and wet lowlands, as well as leaks from man-made objects such as gas pipelines, coal mines, increased irrigation and off-gassing from livestock. But there is another source of methane - decaying organic matter in ocean sediments, preserved frozen under the seabed.

Typically, low temperatures and high pressure keep methane under the ocean in a stable state, but this was not always the case. During periods of global warming, such as the late Paleocene Thermal Maximum, which occurred 55 million years ago and lasted for 100 thousand years, the movement of lithospheric plates, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, led to a drop in pressure on the seafloor and could cause a large release of methane. As the atmosphere and ocean began to warm, methane emissions could increase. Some scientists believe that current global warming could lead to the development of events according to the same scenario - if the ocean warms up significantly.

When methane enters the atmosphere, it reacts with oxygen and hydrogen molecules to create carbon dioxide and water vapor, each of which can cause the greenhouse effect. According to previous forecasts, all emitted methane will turn into carbon dioxide and water in about 10 years. If this is true, then increasing carbon dioxide concentrations will be the main cause of warming of the planet. However, attempts to confirm the reasoning with references to the past were unsuccessful - no traces of an increase in carbon dioxide concentration 55 million years ago were found.

The models used in the new study showed that when the level of methane in the atmosphere sharply increases, the content of oxygen and hydrogen reacting with methane in it decreases (until the reaction stops), and the remaining methane remains in the air for hundreds of years, itself becoming a cause of global warming. And these hundreds of years are enough to warm up the atmosphere, melt the ice in the oceans and change the entire climate system.

The main anthropogenic sources of methane are digestive fermentation in livestock, rice growing, and biomass burning (including deforestation). Recent studies have shown that a rapid increase in atmospheric methane concentrations occurred in the first millennium AD (presumably as a result of the expansion of agricultural and livestock production and forest burning). Between 1000 and 1700, methane concentrations fell by 40%, but began to rise again in recent centuries (presumably as a result of the expansion of arable land and pastures and the burning of forests, the use of wood for heating, increased numbers of livestock, sewage, and rice cultivation) . Some contribution to the supply of methane comes from leaks during the development of coal and natural gas deposits, as well as the emission of methane as part of biogas generated at waste disposal sites

Carbon dioxide

Sources of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere are volcanic emissions, vital activity of organisms, and human activity. Anthropogenic sources include the combustion of fossil fuels, the burning of biomass (including deforestation), and some industrial processes (for example, cement production). The main consumers of carbon dioxide are plants. Normally, the biocenosis absorbs approximately the same amount of carbon dioxide as it produces (including through biomass decay).

The influence of carbon dioxide on the intensity of the greenhouse effect.

Much still needs to be learned about the carbon cycle and the role of the world's oceans as a vast reservoir of carbon dioxide. As mentioned above, every year humanity adds 7 billion tons of carbon in the form of CO 2 to the existing 750 billion tons. But only about half of our emissions - 3 billion tons - remain in the air. This can be explained by the fact that most CO 2 is used by terrestrial and marine plants, buried in marine sediments, absorbed by seawater, or otherwise absorbed. Of this large portion of CO 2 (about 4 billion tons), the ocean absorbs about two billion tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide each year.

All this increases the number of unanswered questions: How exactly does sea water interact with atmospheric air, absorbing CO 2? How much more carbon can the seas absorb, and what level of global warming might affect their capacity? What is the capacity of the oceans to absorb and store heat trapped by climate change?

The role of clouds and suspended particles in air currents called aerosols is not easy to take into account when building a climate model. Clouds shade the earth's surface, leading to cooling, but depending on their height, density and other conditions, they can also trap heat reflected from the earth's surface, increasing the intensity of the greenhouse effect. The effect of aerosols is also interesting. Some of them modify water vapor, condensing it into small droplets that form clouds. These clouds are very dense and obscure the Earth's surface for weeks. That is, they block sunlight until they fall with precipitation.

The combined effect can be enormous: the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatuba in the Philippines released a colossal volume of sulfates into the stratosphere, causing a worldwide drop in temperature that lasted two years.

Thus, our own pollution, mainly caused by burning sulfur-containing coal and oils, may temporarily offset the effects of global warming. Experts estimate that aerosols reduced the amount of warming by 20% during the 20th century. In general, temperatures have been rising since the 1940s, but have fallen since 1970. The aerosol effect may help explain the anomalous cooling in the middle of the last century.

In 2006, carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere amounted to 24 billion tons. A very active group of researchers argues against the idea that human activity is one of the causes of global warming. In her opinion, the main thing is the natural processes of climate change and increased solar activity. But, according to Klaus Hasselmann, head of the German Climatological Center in Hamburg, only 5% can be explained by natural causes, and the remaining 95% is a man-made factor caused by human activity.

Some scientists also do not connect the increase in CO 2 with an increase in temperature. Skeptics say that if rising temperatures are to be blamed on rising CO 2 emissions, temperatures must have risen during the post-war economic boom, when fossil fuels were burned in huge quantities. However, Jerry Mallman, director of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, calculated that increased use of coal and oils rapidly increased the sulfur content in the atmosphere, causing cooling. After 1970, the thermal effect of the long life cycles of CO 2 and methane suppressed rapidly decaying aerosols, causing temperatures to rise. Thus, we can conclude that the influence of carbon dioxide on the intensity of the greenhouse effect is enormous and undeniable.

However, the increasing greenhouse effect may not be catastrophic. Indeed, high temperatures may be welcome where they are quite rare. Since 1900, the greatest warming has been observed from 40 to 70 0 northern latitude, including Russia, Europe, and the northern part of the United States, where industrial emissions of greenhouse gases began earliest. Most of the warming occurs at night, primarily due to increased cloud cover, which traps outgoing heat. As a result, the sowing season was extended by a week.

Moreover, the greenhouse effect may be good news for some farmers. High concentrations of CO 2 can have a positive effect on plants because plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, converting it into living tissue. Therefore, more plants mean more absorption of CO 2 from the atmosphere, slowing down global warming.

This phenomenon was studied by American specialists. They decided to create a model of the world with double the amount of CO 2 in the air. To do this, they used fourteen-year-old pine forest in Northern California. The gas was pumped through pipes installed among the trees. Photosynthesis increased by 50-60%. But the effect soon became the opposite. The suffocating trees could not cope with such volumes of carbon dioxide. The advantage in the process of photosynthesis was lost. This is another example of how human manipulation leads to unexpected results.

But these small positive aspects of the greenhouse effect cannot be compared with the negative ones. Take, for example, the experience with a pine forest, where the volume of CO 2 was doubled, and by the end of this century the concentration of CO 2 is predicted to quadruple. One can imagine how catastrophic the consequences could be for plants. And this, in turn, will increase the volume of CO 2, since the fewer plants, the greater the concentration of CO 2.

Consequences of the greenhouse effect

greenhouse effect gases climate

As temperatures rise, the evaporation of water from oceans, lakes, rivers, etc. will increase. Since warmer air can hold more water vapor, this creates a powerful feedback effect: the warmer it gets, the higher the water vapor content in the air, which in turn increases the greenhouse effect.

Human activity has little effect on the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. But we emit other greenhouse gases, which makes the greenhouse effect more and more intense. Scientists believe that increasing CO 2 emissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels, explain at least about 60% of the Earth's warming since 1850. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing by about 0.3% per year, and is now about 30% higher than before the industrial revolution. If we express this in absolute terms, then every year humanity adds approximately 7 billion tons. Despite the fact that this is a small part in relation to the total amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - 750 billion tons, and even smaller compared to the amount of CO 2 contained in the World Ocean - approximately 35 trillion tons, it remains very significant. Reason: natural processes are in equilibrium, such a volume of CO 2 enters the atmosphere, which is removed from there. And human activity only adds CO 2.

If its growth is not stopped, the balance on Earth may be disrupted. The climate will change, hunger and disease will come. Scientists are developing various measures to combat a problem that should become global.

The essence

What is the greenhouse effect? This is the name for an increase in the temperature of the planet’s surface due to the fact that gases in the atmosphere tend to retain heat. The Earth is heated by radiation from the Sun. Visible short waves from a light source penetrate unhindered to the surface of our planet. As the Earth heats up, it begins to emit long heat waves. Partially they penetrate through the layers of the atmosphere and “go” into space. reduce throughput, reflect long waves. The heat remains at the surface of the Earth. The higher the concentration of gases, the higher the greenhouse effect.

The phenomenon was first described by Joseph Fourier at the beginning of the 19th century. He suggested that the processes occurring in the earth's atmosphere are similar to what exists under glass.

Greenhouse gases are steam (from water), carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide), methane, ozone. The former takes the main part in the formation of the greenhouse effect (up to 72%). The next most important is carbon dioxide (9-26%), the share of methane and ozone is 4-9 and 3-7%, respectively.

Recently, you can often hear about the greenhouse effect as a serious environmental problem. But this phenomenon also has a positive side. Due to the existence of the greenhouse effect, the average temperature of our planet is approximately 15 degrees above zero. Without it, life on Earth would be impossible. The temperature could only be minus 18.

The reason for the effect is the active activity of many volcanoes on the planet millions of years ago. At the same time, the content of water vapor and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased significantly. The concentration of the latter reached such a value that a super-strong greenhouse effect arose. As a result, the water of the World Ocean practically boiled, its temperature became so high.

The appearance of vegetation everywhere on the Earth's surface caused a fairly rapid absorption of carbon dioxide. Heat accumulation has decreased. Balance has been established. The average annual temperature on the surface of the planet turned out to be at a level close to the present.

Reasons

The phenomenon is enhanced by:

Industrial development is the main reason that carbon dioxide and other gases that enhance the greenhouse effect are actively emitted and accumulate in the atmosphere. The result of human activity on Earth is an increase in average annual temperature. Over the century it has risen by 0.74 degrees. Scientists predict that in the future this increase could be 0.2 degrees every 10 years. That is, the intensity of warming is increasing.
– the reason for the increase in CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. This gas is absorbed by vegetation. Massive development of new lands, coupled with deforestation, accelerates the rate of accumulation of carbon dioxide, and at the same time changes the living conditions of animals and plants, leading to the extinction of their species.
The combustion of fuel (solid and oil) and waste leads to the release of carbon dioxide. Heating, electricity production, and transport are the main sources of this gas.
Increased energy consumption is a sign and condition of technical progress. The world's population is increasing by about 2% per year. Energy consumption growth – 5%. The intensity increases every year, humanity needs more and more energy.
An increase in the number of landfills leads to an increase in methane concentrations. Another source of gas is the activity of livestock farms.

Threats

The consequences of the greenhouse effect can be detrimental to humans:

Polar ice is melting, which is causing sea levels to rise. As a result, coastal fertile lands are under water. If flooding occurs at a high rate, there will be a serious threat to agriculture. Crops are dying, the area of pastures is shrinking, and sources of fresh water are disappearing. First of all, the poorest segments of the population, whose lives depend on crops and the growth of domestic animals, will suffer.
Many coastal cities, including highly developed ones, may be under water in the future. For example, New York, St. Petersburg. Or entire countries. For example, Holland. Such phenomena will necessitate massive displacement of human settlements. Scientists suggest that in 15 years the sea level may rise by 0.1-0.3 meters, and by the end of the 21st century - by 0.3-1 meter. For the above-mentioned cities to be under water, the level must rise by about 5 meters.
An increase in air temperature leads to a reduction in the period of snow within the continents. It begins to melt earlier, just as the rainy season ends sooner. As a result, the soils become overdried and unsuitable for growing crops. Lack of moisture is the cause of land desertification. Experts say that an increase in average temperature by 1 degree in 10 years will lead to a reduction in forest areas by 100-200 million hectares. These lands will become steppes.
The ocean covers 71% of the surface area of our planet. As the air temperature rises, the water also heats up. Evaporation increases significantly. And this is one of the main reasons for the strengthening of the greenhouse effect.
As water levels in the world's oceans and temperatures rise, biodiversity is threatened and many species of wildlife may disappear. The reason is changes in their habitat. Not every species can successfully adapt to new conditions. The consequence of the disappearance of some plants, animals, birds, and other living beings is a disruption of food chains and the balance of ecosystems.
Rising water levels cause climate change. The boundaries of the seasons are shifting, the number and intensity of storms, hurricanes, and precipitation are increasing. Climate stability is the main condition for the existence of life on Earth. Stopping the greenhouse effect means preserving human civilization on the planet.
High air temperatures can negatively affect people's health. Under such conditions, cardiovascular diseases worsen and the respiratory system suffers. Thermal anomalies lead to an increase in the number of injuries and some psychological disorders. An increase in temperature entails a faster spread of many dangerous diseases, such as malaria and encephalitis.

What to do?

Today, the problem of the greenhouse effect is a global environmental issue. Experts believe that the widespread adoption of the following measures will help solve the problem:

Changes in the use of energy sources. Reducing the share and quantity of fossils (carbon-containing peat, coal), oil. Switching to natural gas will significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Increasing the share of alternative sources (sun, wind, water) will reduce emissions, because these methods allow you to obtain energy without harming the environment. When using them, gases are not released.
Changes in energy policy. Increasing efficiency in power plants. Reducing the energy intensity of manufactured products at enterprises.
Introduction of energy saving technologies. Even the usual insulation of house facades, window openings, heating plants gives a significant result - fuel savings, and, therefore, less emissions. Resolving the issue at the level of enterprises, industries, and states entails a global improvement in the situation. Each person can contribute to solving the problem: saving energy, proper waste disposal, insulating their own home.
Development of technologies aimed at obtaining products in new, environmentally friendly ways.
The use of secondary resources is one of the measures to reduce waste, the number and volume of landfills.
Restoring forests, fighting fires in them, increasing their area as a way to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The fight against greenhouse gas emissions today is carried out at the international level. World summits are being held dedicated to this problem, documents are being created aimed at organizing a global solution to the issue. Many scientists around the world are searching for ways to reduce the greenhouse effect, maintain balance and life on Earth.

In the 21st century, the global greenhouse effect is one of the most pressing environmental problems facing our planet today. The essence of the greenhouse effect is that the sun's heat is trapped near the surface of our planet in the form of greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect is caused by the release of industrial gases into the atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect is an increase in the temperature of the lower layers of the Earth's atmosphere in comparison with the effective temperature, namely the temperature of the planet's thermal radiation recorded from space. The first mention of this phenomenon appeared in 1827. Then Joseph Fourier suggested that the optical characteristics of the Earth's atmosphere are similar to the characteristics of glass, the level of transparency of which in the infrared range is lower than in the optical. When visible light is absorbed, the surface temperature rises and emits thermal (infrared) radiation, and since the atmosphere is not so transparent for thermal radiation, heat collects near the surface of the planet.
The fact that the atmosphere is capable of not transmitting thermal radiation is caused by the presence of greenhouse gases in it. The main greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. Over the past decades, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased significantly. Scientists believe human activity is the main reason.
Due to the regular increase in average annual temperatures in the late 1980s, there was concern that global warming caused by human activity was already occurring.

The influence of the greenhouse effect

The positive consequences of the greenhouse effect include additional “heating” of the surface of our planet, as a result of which life appeared on this planet. If this phenomenon did not exist, then the average annual air temperature near the earth's surface would not exceed 18C.
The greenhouse effect arose due to the huge amount of water vapor and carbon dioxide entering the planet's atmosphere over hundreds of millions of years as a result of extremely high volcanic activity. The high concentration of carbon dioxide, which is thousands of times higher than today, was the cause of the “supergreenhouse” effect. This phenomenon brought the water temperature in the World Ocean closer to the boiling point. However, after some time, green vegetation appeared on the planet, which actively absorbed carbon dioxide from the earth’s atmosphere. For this reason, the greenhouse effect began to decline. Over time, a certain equilibrium was established, allowing the average annual temperature to remain at +15C.
However, human industrial activity has led to large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases once again entering the atmosphere. Scientists analyzed data from 1906 to 2005 and concluded that the average annual temperature increased by 0.74 degrees, and in the coming years will reach about 0.2 degrees per decade.
Greenhouse effect results:

temperature increase
changes in the frequency and volume of precipitation
melting glaciers
sea level rise
threat to biological diversity
death of crops
drying up of fresh water sources
increased evaporation of water in the oceans
decomposition of water and methane compounds located near the poles
slowdown of currents, for example, the Gulf Stream, resulting in sharply colder temperatures in the Arctic
decrease in tropical forest size
expansion of the habitat of tropical microorganisms.

Consequences of the greenhouse effect

Why is the greenhouse effect so dangerous? The main danger of the greenhouse effect lies in the climate changes it causes. Scientists believe that the strengthening of the greenhouse effect will cause increased health risks for all humanity, especially for representatives of low-income segments of the population. A decrease in food production, which will be a consequence of the death of crops and the destruction of pastures by drought or, conversely, flooding, will inevitably lead to a shortage of food. In addition, elevated air temperatures cause exacerbation of heart and vascular diseases, as well as respiratory diseases.
Also, an increase in air temperature can cause an expansion of the habitat of animal species that are carriers of dangerous diseases. Because of this, for example, encephalitis ticks and malaria mosquitoes can move to places where people lack immunity to the diseases they carry.

What will help save the planet?

Scientists are confident that the fight against the strengthening of the greenhouse effect should involve the following measures:

reducing the use of fossil energy sources such as coal, oil and gas
more efficient use of energy resources
dissemination of energy-saving technologies
use of alternative energy sources, namely renewable
use of refrigerants and blowing agents that contain low (zero) global warming potential
reforestation work aimed at natural absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
abandoning cars with gasoline or diesel engines in favor of electric cars.

At the same time, even the full-scale implementation of the listed measures is unlikely to fully compensate for the harm caused to nature due to anthropogenic action. For this reason, we can only talk about minimizing the consequences.
The first international conference at which this threat was discussed took place in the mid-70s in Toronto. Then, experts came to the conclusion that the greenhouse effect on Earth is in second place in importance after the nuclear threat.
Not only a real man is obliged to plant a tree - every person should do it! The most important thing in solving this problem is not to turn a blind eye to it. Perhaps today people do not notice the harm from the greenhouse effect, but our children and grandchildren will definitely feel it. It is necessary to reduce the volume of burning coal and oil and protect the natural vegetation of the planet. All this is necessary for planet Earth to exist after us.