Greenhouse Effect – Class 12 | Chapter – 16 | Biology Short Notes Series PDF

Greenhouse Effect: The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when certain gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, trap heat from the sun and warm the planet. Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide, allow the sun’s energy to enter the atmosphere, but prevent some of it from escaping back into space. This trapped heat warms the planet, keeping it at a temperature suitable for life.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that has kept the Earth warm for millions of years. However, human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, have increased the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to an intensified greenhouse effect and causing the Earth’s temperature to rise. This is referred to as global warming.

Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat from the sun, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. The most important greenhouse gases are:

  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2): The most important greenhouse gas, CO2 is released into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities.
  • Methane (CH4): Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere through livestock farming, landfills, and natural gas production.
  • Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is a long-lived greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere through agriculture, industrial processes, and the burning of fossil fuels.
  • Fluorinated Gases: Fluorinated gases, also known as Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), are man-made gases that are used in a variety of industrial applications. They are potent greenhouse gases that can persist in the atmosphere for thousands of years.

Causes of Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is caused by the presence of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, which trap heat from the sun and warm the planet. The primary causes of the greenhouse effect include:

  • Human Activities: The burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, deforestation, and other human activities have increased the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to an intensified greenhouse effect and causing the Earth’s temperature to rise.
  • Natural Sources: Greenhouse gases are also produced by natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions, the decay of organic matter, and the respiration of plants and animals.
  • Changes in Land Use: Changes in land use, such as deforestation, can also contribute to the greenhouse effect. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as carbon. When forests are cleared, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere.

Effects of Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect, caused by the presence of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, has a number of effects on the planet, including:

  • Global Warming: The most well-known effect of the greenhouse effect is global warming, which refers to the rise in the Earth’s average surface temperature due to increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
  • Changes in Climate Patterns: The increased temperatures caused by the greenhouse effect can lead to changes in climate patterns, such as more frequent heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall.
  • Rising Sea Levels: The melting of glaciers and ice caps due to global warming can cause sea levels to rise, flooding coastal areas and causing damage to infrastructure and homes.
  • Ocean Acidification: The increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are also causing the oceans to become more acidic, which can harm marine life and disrupt ocean ecosystems.
  • Changes in Ecosystems: The changing climate patterns caused by the greenhouse effect can also have a profound impact on ecosystems, altering the distribution of plants and animals and reducing biodiversity.
  • Health Impacts: The increased temperatures and changes in climate patterns caused by the greenhouse effect can also have a negative impact on human health, exacerbating problems such as heat stress, respiratory illnesses, and the spread of disease-carrying insects.


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By Team Learning Mantras