Greenhouse effect, illustration. The greenhouse effect is a process by which the Earth heats up. It occurs naturally, but human activities are thought to be increasing its effect, leading to global warming. The surface of the Earth absorbs some solar radiation (yellow arrow), reflects some, and re-radiates some at a longer (infrared) wavelength. Naturally some of this infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere back into space, but the build-up of some chemicals in the atmosphere can change its absorbance of radiation. Carbon dioxide, which is emitted by the burning of fossil fuels, is a major greenhouse gas. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / TIM BROWN |
Bildgröße: | 5315 px × 3709 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |