Lower Atmosphere

Basics

Unit 2
The greenhouse effect, light and the biosphere

When we speak about climate, most people think about global warming. And if we speak about global warming, most of us think about the greenhouse effect.  The greenhouse effect is actually a naturally occurring process which has been affected by human activity. 

1. greenhouse effect

Without the greenhouse effect, life wouldn't be possible on Earth.

The energy driving our climate comes from the Sun. In the first part of this unit we look at what happens to the solar energy as it passes through the atmosphere, as it hits clouds and when it reaches the surface of the Earth.  We look at how this energy warms the Earth, how some of the energy is returned back into space and what effect clouds and greenhouse gases have.  In the second part of this unit we look at the impact plant emissions have on our atmosphere, both during their growth and if they are burnt in vegetation fires.

Humans have enhanced the natural greenhouse effect and have changed the climate of the Earth.

About this page:

author: Dr. Elmar Uherek, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry Mainz/Germany
scientific reviewer: Dr. Pascal Guyon, MPI for Chemistry - Mainz
last published: 2004-05-12