The greenhouse effect keeps our planet warm enough to support life. But too much of a good thing? Let's find out!

• Definition: The greenhouse effect occurs when greenhouse gases in the atmosphere let in short-wave sunlight but trap the outgoing long-wave radiation from Earth.

• Result: This trapped radiation warms our atmosphere.

• Life-Saver: Thanks to the greenhouse effect, Earth isn’t a frozen popsicle (or a superhot oven) like the Moon.

  • 🌙 Moon vs. Earth Fun Fact: While the Moon and Earth are almost equidistant from the Sun, the Moon has wild temperature swings! Its daytime temps can reach a toasty 100°C, and nighttime can dip to a chilling -150°C. The average temp? A frosty -18°C. On Earth, it's a comfortable 15°C. That’s a 33°C difference, all thanks to our lovely atmosphere!

• Water Vapour: The heavyweight champ! It makes up:

  • 95% of greenhouse gases by volume
  • 50% of the greenhouse effect's impact

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂):

  • 1950: 315 ppm
  • 2015: Over 400 ppm (That's a big jump!)
  • 2050 prediction: 600 ppm 😲
  • Main Culprit: Humans! Fossil fuel burning (like coal, oil, and natural gas) and deforestation.
  • Double Whammy with Deforestation: We lose the trees that absorb CO₂ and produce oxygen. It's like shooting yourself in both feet!

• Methane (CH₄):

  • 2nd largest global warming contributor.
  • Growing at 1% per year.
  • Fun (or not-so-fun) Fact: Cows contribute by turning 10% of their food into methane! 🐄💨 = 100 million tonnes/year!
  • Other methane producers include paddy fields (150 million tonnes/year) and melting permafrost.

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) & Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs):

  • CFCs: Bad news! They destroy our protective ozone layer and trap heat. Some CFCs can trap up to 10,000 times more heat than CO₂. 😓
  • HCFCs: Their presence skyrocketed from the 1990s and they too contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect.