Slide #6: What is the greenhouse effect?

  The greenhouse effect is what is responsible for global climate change trends that are currently being seen.  Like the name implies. this effect is very similar to what is observed in a greenhouse, allowing plants to be grown year-round.

  A greenhouse works by allowing the sun's energy in the form of solar radiation through the glass.  Some of this energy is absorbed by the various plants and some is reflected back in the form of infrared radiation.  The kicker here is that infrared radiation has a very long wavelength, while solar radiation has a short wavelength.  The infrared radiation isn't able to travel through the glass and thus is trapped inside.  The trapped energy translates into a heating effect inside the structure, so the space inside is warmed.

  The same effect is happening on earth, but with the glass replaced with green house gasses like CO2 and methane.  These gasses trap some of the infrared radiation and like as a blanket.  This warming is what has the potential for catastrophic effects.