How did the so-called greenhouse effect come about? This serious environmental problem is a response to the increase in the carbon dioxide (CO) index2) released into the atmosphere. This pollutant is a product of the complete burning of fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel, etc.).
Why has this unwanted effect worsened over the years? The only way to remove this harmful gas from our environment is through photosynthesis, and as the devastation of forests has intensified in recent decades, the level of CO2 it only tends to increase going forward.
Mind Map: Greenhouse Gases
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As if the illegal cutting of trees were not enough, another aggravating factor of the problem arises, the fires. The burning of extensive green areas releases more greenhouse gases into the air, this action is responsible for the increase of 30% in the amount of CO2 In the atmosphere.
And why the presence of CO2 does the temperature of the planet increase? Note the illustration below:
The Earth receives radiation (energy) from the Sun every day. Part of this energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface and another part is reflected in the form of infrared radiation. The layers of polluting gas (CO2) accumulated form a kind of barrier and, as a result, part of the infrared radiation returns to the surface, causing the Earth's temperature to rise.
From the illustration we can see that, if the gas layer were not present, the infrared radiation could freely escape to the top of the atmosphere (indicated by the arrow – pink color). With this, only the desirable and sufficient energy to heat us would be absorbed by the surface. The strong incidence of radiation makes the planet's temperature rise gradually every year, it is a real feeling of being in “heated greenhouses”.
* Mind Map by Victor Ricardo Ferreira
Chemistry teacher
By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/gases-efeito-estufa.htm