For Greenhouse effect we have terms and definitions in 20 topics. The topics are Air Quality, Atmospheric Chemistry, Biodiversity, Climate, Climatology, Electric Power, Energy, Environment, Forestry, Global Warming, Natural Gas, Oceanography, Oil, Ozone Protection, Physical Geography, Political, Satellite Meteorology, Science, Sociology and Weather.

Greenhouse Effect (Air Quality)

The warming of the earth's atmosphere caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide and other trace gases. This buildup allows light from the sun's rays to heat the earth but prevents a counterbalancing loss of heat

Greenhouse Effect (Atmospheric Chemistry)

The phenomenon in which outgoing infrared radiation that would normally exit from a planet's atmosphere but instead, is trapped or reflected because of the presence of the atmosphere and its components (see below) is called the greenhouse effect. It has been calculated that this effect is necessary to maintain the earth's climate and surface temperature and, more importantly, the liquid state of water in the majority of the earth's biosphere; however, the best scientific estimates to date suggest that increasing amounts of greenhouse gases are resulting in higher temperatures worldwide. This could result in melting of icecaps that would raise the sea level and cause devastating floods in coastal areas, more extremes in rainfall and intensity, and the distribution of species in the biosphere. [The Greenhouse Effect; Matthew Kreljic, ed.; 1992; HW Wilson Co.; New York.] [Climatic Change; v20: p. iii-vii: 1992.]

Greenhouse Effect (Biodiversity)

The trapping of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere by certain gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Some scientists predict that the temperature and sea level rise associated with global warming could adversely affect biodiversity.

Greenhouse Effect (Climate)

A popular term used to describe the roles of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases in keeping the Earth's surface warmer than it would be otherwise. These " radiatively active " gases are relatively transparent to incoming shortwave radiation, but are relatively opaque to outgoing longwave radiation. The latter radiation, which would otherwise escape to space, is trapped by these gases within the lower levels of the atmosphere. The subsequent reradiation of some of the energy back to the surface maintains surface temperatures higher than they would be if the gases were absent. There is concern that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and manmade chlorofluorocarbons, may enhance the greenhouse effect and cause global warming.

Greenhouse Effect (Climatology)

See atmospheric greenhouse effect

Greenhouse Effect (Electric Power)

The effect of the Earth's atmosphere, due to certain gases, in trapping heat from the sun; the atmosphere acts like a greenhouse.

Greenhouse Effect (Energy)

The presence of trace atmospheric gases make the earth warmer than would direct sunlight alone. These gases (carbon dioxide [CO2], methane [CH4], nitrous oxide [N2O], tropospheric ozone [O3], and water vapor [H2O]) allow visible light and ultraviolet light (shortwave radiation) to pass through the atmosphere and heat the earth's surface. This heat is re-radiated from the earth in form of infrared energy (longwave radiation). The greenhouse gases absorb part of that energy before it escapes into space. This process of trapping the longwave radiation is known as the greenhouse effect. Scientists estimate that without the greenhouse effect, the earth's surface would be roughly 54 degrees Fahrenheit colder than it is today

Greenhouse Effect (Environment)

The warming of the Earth's atmosphere attributed to a buildup of carbon dioxide or other gases; some scientists think that this build-up allows the sun's rays to heat the Earth, while making the infra-red radiation atmosphere opaque to infra-red radiation, thereby preventing a counterbalancing loss of heat.

Greenhouse Effect (Forestry)

The warming of the Earth's atmosphere caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other gases in the air, which trap the sun's heat within the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Effect (Global Warming)

A popular term used to describe the roles of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases in keeping the Earth's surface warmer than it would otherwise be. These radiatively active gases are relatively transparent to incoming shortwave radiation, but are relatively opaque to outgoing longwave radiation. The latter radiation, which would otherwise escape to space, is trapped by greenhouse gases within the lower levels of the atmosphere. The subsequent re-radiation of some of the energy back to the Earth maintains higher surface temperatures than would occur if the gases were absent. There is concern that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons, may enhance the greenhouse effect and cause global warming.

Greenhouse Effect (Natural Gas)

The warming of the Earth’s surface caused by the presence of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere that trap the heat of the sun.

Greenhouse Effect (Oceanography)

Process by which heat is trapped near the Earth's surface by certain gases in the atmosphere, called greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect is linked to global warming.

Greenhouse Effect (Oil)

The warming of the Earth’s surface caused by the presence of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere that trap the heat of the sun.

Greenhouse Effect (Ozone Protection)

A thermodynamic effect whereby energy absorbed at the earth's surface, which is normally able to radiate back out to space in the form of long-wave infrared radiation, is retained by gases in the atmosphere, causing a rise in temperature. The gases in question are partially natural, but man-made pollution is thought to increasingly contribute to the effect. The same CFCs that cause ozone depletion are known to be greenhouse gases, with a single CFC molecule having the same estimated effect as 10,000 carbon dioxide molecules. See also global warming and global warming potential.

Greenhouse Effect (Physical Geography)

The greenhouse effect causes the atmosphere to trap more heat energy at the Earth's surface and within the atmosphere by absorbing and re-emitting longwave energy. Of the longwave energy emitted back to space, 90 % is intercepted and absorbed by greenhouse gases. Without the greenhouse effect the Earth's average global temperature would be -18° Celsius, rather than the present 15° Celsius. In the last few centuries, the activities of humans have directly or indirectly caused the concentration of the major greenhouse gases to increase. Scientists predict that this increase may enhance the greenhouse effect making the planet warmer. Some experts estimate that the Earth's average global temperature has already increased by 0.3 to 0.6° Celsius, since the beginning of this century, because of this enhancement.

Greenhouse Effect (Political)

1. Sometimes called global warming, it is caused by atmospheric pollutants, mostly from the burning of fossil fuels (like the gasoline in automobiles) that form a barrier in the upper atmosphere which traps the heat being radiated from the earth. Since the heat cannot escape, temperatures at the earth's surface begin to rise, creating changes in the earth's weather patterns. In 1997, an international agreement was reached in Kyoto, Japan, to reduce six "greenhouse" gases, including carbon dioxide emissions, which are the principal cause of global warming. The U.S. agreed to reduce emissions by 7 percent over the next 15 years.
2. Sometimes called global warming, it is caused by atmospheric pollutants, mostly from the burning of fossil fuels (like the gasoline in automobiles) that form a barrier in the upper atmosphere which traps the heat being radiated from the earth. Since the heat cannot escape, temperatures at the earth's surface begin to rise, creating changes in the earth's weather patterns.

Greenhouse Effect (Satellite Meteorology)

The heating of the planet that results from the fact that the atmosphere absorbs and emits infrared radiation.

Greenhouse Effect (Science)

Warming in the lower atmosphere due to the ability of air to transmit visible light from the Sun but to absorb infrared radiation attempting to escape into space.

Greenhouse Effect (Sociology)

The accumulation of gasses in the atmosphere that act like the glass roof of a greenhouse, letting sunlight in but trapping the radiant heat.

Greenhouse Effect (Weather)

The overall warming of the earth's lower atmosphere primarily due to carbon dioxide and water vapor which permit the sun's rays to heat the earth, but then restrict some heat-energy from escaping back into space.

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