MS Science-Climate Change: Human Impact-Greenhouse Effect

Human activities are changing Earth's natural greenhouse effect. Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil puts more carbon dioxide into our atmosphere.

NASA has observed increases in the amount of carbon dioxide and some other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Too much of these greenhouse gases can cause Earth's atmosphere to trap more and more heat. This causes Earth to warm up.

What reduces the greenhouse effect on Earth?

Just like a glass greenhouse, Earth's greenhouse is also full of plants! Plants can help to balance the greenhouse effect on Earth. All plants — from giant trees to tiny phytoplankton in the ocean — take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.

The ocean also absorbs a lot of excess carbon dioxide in the air. Unfortunately, the increased carbon dioxide in the ocean changes the water, making it more acidic. This is called ocean acidification.

More acidic water can be harmful to many ocean creatures, such as certain shellfish and coral. Warming oceans — from too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere — can also be harmful to these organisms. Warmer waters are a main cause of coral bleaching.

(This photograph shows a bleached brain coral. A main cause of coral bleaching is warming oceans. Ocean acidification also stresses coral reef communities. Credit: NOAA)

• Drive less. Use public transportation, carpool, walk, or ride a bike.
• Fly less. Airplanes produce huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
• Plant a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, keeping it out of the atmosphere.
• Use less electricity.
• Eat less meat. Cows are one of the biggest methane producers.
• Support alternative energy sources that don’t burn fossil fuels.

The greenhouse effect is a vital natural phenomenon, intensified by human activity.
(Photograph by James P. Blair: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/greenhouse-effect-our-planet/6th-grade/)