greenhouse effect

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Introduction

The mechanism by which CO2, water vapor & other gases in the atmosphere absorb some of the sun's heat as it is radiated back from the surface of the earth. This keeps the earth warm. A change in the composition of the atmosphere could alter the greenhouse effect, i.e., by the gradual warming of the planet due to increased CO2 in the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels & the clearing of forests.

Consequences of global warming:-

  • partial melting of polar icecaps
  • rise in sea levels
  • flooding of low lying territories
  • violent tropical storms
  • growth of deserts

More general terms

References

  1. General Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis, KW Whitten & KD Gailey, Saunders College Publishing, New York, NY 1981.
  2. Exploring Your World: The Adventure of Geography, The National Geographic Society Publication 1995.