What's the difference between global warming and the greenhouse effect?
537127
Greenhouse effect:  \nIn our atmosphere, we have something called greenhouse gasses.  They exist naturally, and two examples of greenhouse gasses are water vapour and carbon dioxide (there are several more of them).  The greenhouse gasses cause some of the heat that is emitted from the earth to stay within our atmosphere.  If there were no greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, all the heat from the earth would radiate out into space.  This would mean that the average temperature of earth would be -18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Farenheit) instead of +15 deg C (60 deg F).  That's a huge difference - I doubt that there would be human life on the planet earth without the greenhouse effect!\n\nGlobal warming:  \nWhen people talk about global warming, they mean that the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere increases.  Some people say that changes occur naturally, some people say it's because we pollute the air with carbon dioxide etc.  An increase of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere would mean that less of the heat from the earth would radiate into space, which gives an increase in the average temperature on earth.  Rising temperatures could mean, for instance, that some of the polar ice melts, causing flooding in coastal countries.\n\nSo:\nGreenhouse effect - a good thing\nGlobal warming - possibly bad
480842
The greenhouse effect, simply stated, is what keeps this planet habitable. W/o it, life as we know it, would not exist.\n\nGreenhouse gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, etc. all act to insulate the earth. These gases, however, make up a minute percentage of all the gases in the atmosphere. Less than one percent all together to be exact.\n\nThe planet Venus, has what we would call a "runaway greenhouse effect". Carbon Dioxide makes up most of Venus' atmosphere.\n\nGlobal warming, however, is an increase in average global temperature. How does the greenhouse effect relate to global warming???\n\nIt is not so much the greenhouse effect in itself but rather the increase of greenhouse gases that leads to global warming. Some scientists believe that humans have lead to an unnatural increase in these particular gases. On the flip side, there are other scientists who believe that this is a natural cycle, one of many that the earth has been though since forming.\n\nThere is a lot of controversy on this matter. However, I believe while we should err on the side of caution, I do not believe that giving up cars to ride bikes is the answer. Not yet anyway.
369884
Global warming is believed to be an average raise in temperature.  Not all areas will experience it (if it even exists).  But the Earth goes through weather cycles (as in the cold cycle when there were glaciers covering the Earth, we are now just entering into the warm phase).  This is my theory.  But, as I said, it will not be total, constant raise in temperature.  Some spots will notice the difference, others won't.  It's an overall average.
803430
Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in recent decades.\n\nThe Earth's average near-surface atmospheric temperature rose 0.6 ± 0.2 °Celsius (1.1 ± 0.4 °Fahrenheit) in the 20th century. The prevailing scientific opinion on climate change is that "most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities"[1].\n\nThe increased amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the primary causes of the human-induced component of warming[2]. They are released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing and agriculture, etc. and lead to an increase in the greenhouse effect. The first speculation that a greenhouse effect might occur was by the Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius in 1897, although it did not become a topic of popular debate until some 90 years later. [3]\n\nThe measure of the response to increased GHGs, and other anthropogenic and natural climate forcings, is climate sensitivity. It is found by observational [4] and model studies. This sensitivity is usually expressed in terms of the temperature response expected from a doubling of CO2 in the atmosphere. The current literature estimates sensitivity in the range 1.5–4.5 °C (2.7–8.1 °F). Models referenced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) project that global temperatures might increase between 1.4 and 5.8 °C (2.5 to 10.5 °F) between 1990 and 2100. The uncertainty in this range results from both the difficulty of estimating the volume of future greenhouse gas emissions and uncertainty about climate sensitivity.\n\nAn increase in global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, including a rising sea level and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. These changes may increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, and tornados. Other consequences include higher or lower agricultural yields, glacial retreat, reduced summer stream flows, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors. Warming is expected to affect the number and magnitude of these events; however, it is difficult to connect particular events to global warming. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming (and sea level rise due to thermal expansion) is expected to continue past then, since CO2 has an estimated atmospheric lifetime of 50 to 200 years. [5]. Only a small minority of climate scientists discount the role that humanity's actions have played in recent warming. However, the uncertainty is more significant regarding how much climate change should be expected in the future, and there is a hotly contested political and public debate over what, if anything, should be done to reduce or reverse future warming, and how to deal with the predicted consequences.
125463
A full description is beyond this web site. \n\nGreenhouse gases keep the earth warmer than it would be otherwise. Greenhouse gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane prevent heat from the earth from escaping into space. \n\nHumans might be increasing the number of greenhouse gases in the air. This might cause it to get warmer. Some call this global warming. \n\nHowever, it might cause storms to get worse, or it to get colder too. It is more properly called global change.
304041
Exactly none. There is a finite amount of energy stored on the planet in the form of fossil fuels. Burning it releases this energy. You cannot add more. There has been heat RELEASED by the burning of fossil fuels onthe planet, which many people believe causes global warming. The only heat energy added to the planet is solar energy.
452215
Well Global warming is a great threat, it is damaging planet earth. I was reading in this physics book about the effects of global warming and it stated that the rising levels of harmful chemical gases in the earth's atmosphere could damage the earth forever. It says the with the build up of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere, a giant chemical ring will form around the earth's atmosphere blocking sunlight coming into earth, so therefore the earth turns into "lo" one of jupiter's many moons. I'm not saying that this is true, but that's what i read in my book.
982
Global warming has two main applications. The first is that there are certain gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, warming planets. This is known to take place on Venus, Earth, and the gas giants. Earth is the hospitable place that it is because of global warming.\n\nThis takes place because of greenhouse gases, which allow radiation from the sun to pass through the atmosphere and warm the surface of the earth. The surface then re-radiates this energy back towards space in the infrared spectrum. This energy would escape and our planet would be as cold as the moon, were it not for the greenhouse gases (mainly CO2, ozone, methane, and water vapor). They absorb the infrared energy and radiate it back to earth, increasing the overall amount of radiation hitting the earth's surface, keeping it warm day and night.\n\nThat this takes place is clear and indisputable. There is simply too little energy coming from the sun to account for our planet's temperature. The controversial point is when global warming is applied to the current rise in average global temperature that has taken place over the past 50 so years. Most scientists believe that warming of the planet is due to increases in greenhouse gases, mainly CO2, mainly due to human activities on earth.
724367
http://www.ieer.org/ensec/no-5/globwarm.html\n\nhttp://www.tierramerica.net/2001/0311/conect.shtml\n\nhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/glossary.html\n\nGlobal Warming\nGlobal warming is an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns. Global warming can occur from a variety of causes, both natural and human induced. In common usage, "global warming" often refers to the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. See climate change, greenhouse effect, enhanced greenhouse effect, radiative forcing, troposphere.\n\n\nSource: 2006 U.S. Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: Fast Facts (PDF, 2 pp., 220 KB, About PDF)\nGlobal Warming Potential (GWP)\nGlobal Warming Potential (GWP) is defined as the cumulative radiative forcing effects of a gas over a specified time horizon resulting from the emission of a unit mass of gas relative to a reference gas. The GWP-weighted emissions of direct greenhouse gases in the U.S. Inventory are presented in terms of equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), using units of teragrams of carbon dioxide equivalents (Tg CO2 Eq.).\n\nConversion: Tg = 109 kg = 106 metric tons = 1 million metric tons\n\nThe molecular weight of carbon is 12, and the molecular weight of oxygen is 16; therefore, the molecular weight of CO2 is 44 (i.e., 12+[16 x 2]), as compared to 12 for carbon alone. Thus, carbon comprises 12/44ths of carbon dioxide by weight.\n\nSee radiative forcing, carbon dioxide equivalent.\n\nGreenhouse Effect\nTrapping and build-up of heat in the atmosphere (troposphere) near the Earth’s surface. Some of the heat flowing back toward space from the Earth's surface is absorbed by water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and several other gases in the atmosphere and then reradiated back toward the Earth’s surface. If the atmospheric concentrations of these greenhouse gases rise, the average temperature of the lower atmosphere will gradually increase. See greenhouse gas, anthropogenic, climate, global warming.7\n\nGreenhouse Gas (GHG)\nAny gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to, water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone (O3 ), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). See carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride.7\n\n\n\n\ngreenhouse effect  a warming process that balances Earth's cooling processes and helps maintain an average global temperature of approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit. During this process, sunlight enters Earths atmosphere as short wave radiation. The radiation is absorbed by Earth's surface. The planet becomes heated and emits long wave radiation toward the atmosphere. In the atmosphere, some of the long wave radiation is absorbed by certain gases called greenhouse gases.  Each molecule of greenhouse gas becomes energized and emits heat energy in all directions.  By radiating heat energy toward Earth , greenhouse gases increase Earth's temperature. Note that the warming mechanism for the "greenhouse effect" is NOT exactly the same as the warming mechanism of greenhouse walls. While greenhouse gases absorb long wave radiation then emit heat energy it in all directions, greenhouse walls physically trap heat inside of greenhouses and prevent it from escaping to the atmosphere.\n\ngreenhouse gases  certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere that absorb some of the outgoing long wave radiation, or heat energy (see greenhouse effect). These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
26604
The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, CARBON DIOXIDE, nitrous oxide, and methane, for example) trap energy from the sun. Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earth’s average temperature would be about 60ºF colder. Because of how they warm our world, these gases are referred to as GREENHOUSE gases.
66638
The previous answer is incorrect that there is no relation between the two problems. UNEP reports that global climate change may be slowing the healing process of the ozone layer. Warming of the atmosphere near the earth's surface actually causes cooling of the stratosphere and the cooler temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions that destroy ozone molecules.  Further, the US EPA reports that increased levels of ultraviolet-B radiation can be expected to worsen global warming by reduction of plant and phytoplankton populations. The two problems are tied in complex ways that involve feedback from both systems affecting the other. \nHere is the US EPA booklet:\nhttp://www.epa.gov/ORD/WebPubs/stratoz.pdf\n\nThe UN formed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that resulted in the controversial Kyoto Protocol in 1997.  The UN has an excellent website that gives details on the history, the text of the protocol, some of the science, and status. \nhttp://unfccc.int/2860.php\n\nThe UN is also involved in trying to solve ozone depletion. In 1987 the Montreal Protocol was signed by international parties. They agreed to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform usage which all cause ozone depletion in the atmosphere. These chemicals are used in dry cleaning, fire extinguishers, and in refrigeration. Many of these chemicals had begun phase out in the United States prior to the protocol due to EPA regulations. The UN's World Meteoroligal Organization and UNEP sponsor assessments of the ozone hole regularly. \n\n\n\nWhile the Montreal Protocol produced positive results during the late 1990's the problem has recently gotten worse- and then improved again!. Here is a NOAA graph showing that:\nhttp://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/sbuv2to/gif_files/ozone_hole_plot.png\n\nThe US EPA has an impressive list of links to ozone depletion information. \nhttp://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/#specinfo
452166
The increase of the greenhouse gases --> Carbon Dioxide, CFCs, Methane! Nitrogen oxiode.\n\nGases such as carbon dioxide trap heat and since deforestion is occuring rapdily there is less trees to take in carbon dioxide so the amount of carbon dioxide increases. With the amount of carbon dioxide increased more heat is absorbed and it is stuck on the Earth. \n\nAlso another form of global warming is the depletion of the ozone layer. CFC's contains a chemical that destroys the Ozone layer and the Ozone layer is a protective shield of the Earth. It gets rid of the harmfull sun's ultraviolet rays and without the ozone layer the UV rays can freely enter the Earth.
156572
Global warming is an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans. The term is also used for the scientific theory of anthropogenic global warming, which attributes much of the recently observed and projected global warming to a human-induced intensification of the greenhouse effect. In this theory, the increased volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released mainly by the burning of fossil fuels, and, to a lesser extent, land clearing and agriculture, are the primary sources of warming. The natural greenhouse effect keeps the Earth about 33 °C warmer than it otherwise would be; adding carbon dioxide to an atmosphere, with no other changes, will make a planet's surface warmer. Current research is attempting to further illuminate and quantify the processes and factors that can affect temperature change, especially positive and negative feedback mechanisms.
1173864
No. There are plenty of other theories. The EPA can't and hasn't proven any of their theories. Even a Harvard scientist said that we may just be recovering from a mini Ice Age that caused famine for 400 years (Ireland's potato famine). Who am I supposed to believe? I am not scared, although I do believe it is a good time to start reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Who knows what the cause of "global warming" is? Oh well. Let's just reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There's nothing harmful in that.
1050878
causes: -The climate system varies both through natural, "internal" processes as well as in response to variations in external "forcing" from both human and non-human causes, including solar activity, volcanic emissions, and greenhouse gases. Climatologists agree that the earth has warmed recently. The detailed causes of this change remain an active field of research, but the scientific consensus identifies greenhouse gases as the primary cause of the recent warming. This conclusion can be controversial, especially outside the scientific community.Adding carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4) to Earth's atmosphere, with no other changes, will make the planet's surface warmer; greenhouse gases create a natural greenhouse effect without which temperatures on Earth would be an estimated 30  °C (54  °F) lower, and the Earth uninhabitable. It is therefore not correct to say that there is a debate between those who "believe in" and "oppose" the theory that adding carbon dioxide or methane to the Earth's atmosphere will, absent any mitigating actions or effects, result in warmer surface temperatures on Earth. Rather, the debate is about what the net effect of the addition of carbon dioxide and methane will be, when allowing for compounding or mitigating factors.Due to the thermal inertia of the earth's oceans and slow responses of other indirect effects, the Earth's current climate is not in equilibrium with the forcing imposed by increased greenhouse gases. Climate commitment studies indicate that, even if greenhouse gases were stabilized at present day levels, a further warming of perhaps 0.5  °C to 1.0  °C (0.9–1.8 °F) would still occur.\neffects: -The predicted effects of global warming are many and various, both for the environment and for human life. These effects include sea level rise, impacts on agriculture, reductions in the ozone layer, increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, and the spread of disease. In some cases, the effects may already be being experienced, although it is difficult to attribute specific natural phenomena to long-term global warming. In particular, the relationship between global warming and hurricanes is still being debated. [21] [22] A draft statement by the World Meteorological Organization acknowledges the differing viewpoints on this issue [23].The extent and likelihood of these consequences is a matter of considerable controversy. A summary of possible effects and recent understanding can be found in the report of the IPCC Working Group II [24]. Some scientists believe global warming is already causing death and disease across the world through flooding, environmental destruction, heat waves and other extreme weather events.
998066
Global warming is the term used to describe how the average temperature of the planet is going up. No one denies that the temperature is, in fact, going up. Therefore, no one denies that global warming is a fact.\n\nHowever, according to studies of Antarctic ice, the average temperature of the planet has been rising for 6,000 years, which is well before the Industrial Revolution of 150 years ago. This proves that global warming is not caused by man. In that time, however, the rate of temperature rise has increased, which means that the actions of humanity probably has worsened the situation.\n\nThe critical facts about global warming are these:\n\nWhat are the effects of global warming going to be, and how can we prepare for them? Currently, no model of global atmospheric projection has shown itself to accurately predict to any degree the general weather patterns of the Earth (such as the number and ferocity of hurricanes). Until we come up with an accurate way of predicting the effects of global warming, preparing for them will be difficult and based upon conjectures, which are a difficult sell to taxpayers.\n\nWhat can be done to limit the effect of humanity on global warming in the future WITHOUT putting a major damper on economic growth and development, especially in developing nations? For example, all nations could agree to stop driving vehicles that use internal combustion engines, but to do so at once would devastate the economies of many nations. However, other options, such as diverting tax funds to subsidize the development of alternative-energy propulsion for vehicles, would accelerate the advent of such earth-friendly technology.\n\nAll in all, because of the massive stakes involved when discussing global warming (and the subsequent misinformation flying around about it), many people are confused as to the facts about it. I was hoping to be as informative and unbiased as possible.\n\nPlease let me know what you think!
527546
Greenhouse gas emissions -> Leads to global warming.  Which destroys many parts of the the world's eco-systems already, it will eventually impact humans soon too.