Walt Decherd – A Sustainable World

Global Greenhouse Effect and C02

Walt Decherd Economy Proceedings By Lottie Carrot

According to a paper from the Proceedings of the National Economy of Sciences, we are producing too much C02. The C02 has a literal “bath tub” effect on the globe, as it continues to fill and the “drainage” is not working fast enough. To add to this problem is the fact that the environment is experiencing warmth amplification from other greenhouse gases.

Slew of problems:

On the global scale, climate change and its vicissitudes, including amplified warming would have profound effects on the lives of people everywhere. These are all interrelated, and even the ozone hole is not improving.

C02 emissions from the use of oil products and fossil fuels have increased the C02 saturation in the atmosphere, to the point that the natural “sinks” where the C02 can drain are clogging up. Plants and other natural “sinks” cannot absorb or transform the C02 fast enough.

The effect?

Amplified warming in most of the areas of the world that have been used to the cold. Northern Europe is not excluded from this bleak picture. With the problem of peak oil and other significant man-made problems, it seems that there is little to smile about in the coming fifteen or so years.

Job for the Governments:

Scientists and climatologists have been literally “bugging” national governments to take care of the climate and the environment. Now that climate change cannot possibly be a good thing in relation to food production in sensitive regions of the world, science is waiting for human intervention to happen.

The current treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol are not really helping that much due to the sheer number of people dependent on technologies that produce carbon dioxide emissions. The problem is widespread but not incurable.

However, there is a misconception that if people lower emissions, the warming will stop. This is not the case, since the warming has evolved through hundreds of years the Earth will need more time to stabilize itself. However, not doing something now can speed up the processes. A long term solution is required to control the millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions thrown to the air on a yearly basis.

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The Effect of Green House Gases

The Effect of Green House Gases By Eleanor B. Jhonsons

Earth, the only planet in our solar system or as far as evidence indicates the only planet in the whole Universe that supports life, was not like as we see it now since its beginning. Earth has been able to give a safe home to life because of its unique place in the solar system; it’s neither too close to the Sun nor too far away. As Earth is situated away from the Sun preventing it from being a hell of a warm place, there was the possibility that it may have been freezing cold for life to form and flourish here. But thanks to the greenhouse gases present in Earth’s atmosphere that play their role in keeping it warm enough.

Greenhouse gases are those gases residing in Earth’s atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation and thus, keep Earth warmer. The ‘Greenhouse Effect’ is the natural process through which these atmospheric constituents absorb sunlight. Sun, the only star in our Solar System, emits light that reaches Earth’s atmosphere. The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb the long wave radiation emitted by Sun which warms the atmosphere and these long wave radiations are emitted both upward and downward; the downward emission of radiation by atmosphere is called the ‘Greenhouse Effect’.

The greenhouse gases present in Earth’s atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. Water vapor is the most abundant gas and plays the lead role in warming earth causing 36-70% of ‘greenhouse effect’. Carbon dioxide contributes 9-26%, methane 4-9% while ozone’s share is about 3-7%. Some of the other greenhouse gases present in much smaller quantities are sulfur hexafluoride, hydro fluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, per fluorocarbons and nitrous oxide. Two of the major components of Earth’s atmosphere, oxygen and nitrogen are thankfully not greenhouse gases otherwise earth’s atmosphere would have been far warmer than it is now.

Although, these greenhouse gases have been playing a major role in providing life on Earth the perfect temperature to survive, since the Industrial Revolution human activities have caused increase in quantity of green house gases in the atmosphere. More greenhouse gases will trap more and more heat from Sun giving rise to the Global Warming phenomenon.

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How Does a Greenhouse Work?

Walt Decherd Temperature & Humidity Levels By Whitney Segura

A greenhouse is a construction that is generally made up of glass or plastic which would have either a wooden frame or a metal one. The sun rays that come into the house are used as thermal energy; this would be converted from the normal solar energy. This would make the warmth in the greenhouse much higher than the temperature outside. This would have the same effect as when you park a motor vehicle outside in the hot sun. When you do eventually come back to your car, you will become aware that it is much warmer than when you left it.

Temperature & Humidity Levels – One of the most important goals of the greenhouse is to make sure that the heat as well as the humidity is well maintained. Once the house has too much heat, your plants will wilt and die. On the other hand, should there not be enough heat in the greenhouse your plants might freeze. Should the moisture be overbearing you will most definitely end up with a mold problem, and should the humidity be too little your plant will then dry out.

Ventilation – The way that high temperature and humidity could find a balance in a greenhouse is where ventilation plays a role. It could be easier to just open a door and a window to allow the excess humidity as well as heat to escape and this would maintain the balance. On the other hand, you could always have a ventilation system installed.

Styles of Greenhouse – There are various types of greenhouses for you to choose from. There is a type for those that do gardening as a hobby. These commercial greenhouses are available in large and small sizes. The commercial greenhouses are made free standing and others could be built on a more permanent structure and could be built as an addition to your house. You may choose either a simple version or a more elaborate greenhouse; this choice is entirely up to you.

Framing – Should you choose a simple layout, this would just mainly consist of a wooden frame and a more permanent covering made in plastic.

Greenhouses are a more natural way to cultivate. As soon as one grows vegetables and other goodies in a greenhouse, it has a better taste than buying it in the supermarket. It will also give you a sense of pride as well as helping with global warming.

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