Eco Slopes

The Greenhouse Effect, undoubtably you have heard of it by now: The inexorable warm up of the planet Earth due to the emission of man-made Carbon Dioxide and other gases. While I am no expert on this subject, I have an all-around knowledge of what it is, and why it is so hard to say whether or not we are actually undergoing greenhouse warming. Here is a general rundown of the Greenhouse Effect, with the astronomer in mind. As you know, the planet Venus is enshrouded by clouds. Venus is also very,... more

In a general sense, the “greenhouse effect” is a natural phenomenon where sunlight passes through the atmosphere and warms the Earth’s surface. Infrared energy is then radiated by the Earth; some of which goes back to space. The heating effect is crucial to permitting the existence of life as we know it on Earth. Water vapor (esp. in the form of clouds) plays the major role in this effect. As temperatures increase, the air can hold more water vapor which can perhaps more... more

Most of the information on the net about the greenhouse effect actually pertains to global warming. Here we explain in detail the actual origin of the term as it pertains to greenhouses or physics of how solar radiation is transformed as it passes through glass. explanation of the physics of the greenhouse effect as it occurs in an actual greenhouse. Different materials may be transparent to different frequencies of light. Glass is transparent to visible light, but much less so to infrared. So... more

The scientific evidence substantiates an increase in annual global surface temperature. Global warming is real and cannot be denied, so what can we do? 1. Control and limit population growth. 2. Encourage space exploration and the colonization of the solar system. 3. Discourage the development, drilling and the consumption of oil. 4. Discourage oil-based automobiles. 5. Develop small localized mass transist solutions that can interface as nodes with other small transportation projects. 6. ... more

Defenders of the “greenhouse effect is good” theory, who propose that we continue burning fossil fuels until every last drop is extracted from the ground say that the greenhouse effect will be a good thing: 1. Cold areas will become tropical and extend growing seasons to feed expanding populations. This is clearly not true. Cold areas may become warmer but they will certainly not become tropical. They will for example still have long dark winters during which nothing will grow. The growing... more

“Warming of the global environment could lead to major disputes that the Security Council might help resolve”  British U.N. representative Crispin Tickell. “If global warming does take place and…environmental degradation follows, there will be great risks of dispute between states about food…the use of productive land…the supply of fresh water…people who are maybe fleeing from particular environmental problems,” he said. “And all these problems... more

While carbon dioxide receives most attention in discussions of global warming, methane, another greenhouse gas, is also building up rapidly in the atmosphere as a result of various human activities. USEFUL FACTS: Sources of methane: rice paddies, termites, coal mines, land fills, and digestive tracts of animals.  Estimated shares: Tundra, bogs, swamps          26% Rice                          20 Livestock                     15 Burning of vegetation        ... more

I recently went to a debate at a local American Meteorological Society meeting between two climatologists about the greenhouse effect. Among the interesting points that came out and were agreed on by both the “pro” and “con” are: The physics of CO2 trapping heat are well understood and not a matter of disagreement. The CO2 content of the atmosphere has increased about 20% over the last 100 years. The global temperature has not increased in a statistically significant amount. ... more