Differences between greenhouse effect and climate change

Thus, once both concepts have been defined, we can really see what relationship they have and what they differ. Take note of this summary about differences between the greenhouse effect and climate change and its relationship:

• First, it should be clear that Climate change is a direct cause of the greenhouse effect.
• The greenhouse effect is the natural effect that some gases have when remaining in the atmosphere and retain part of solar radiation, while climate change is the natural process that passes the planet between glaciations and periods of extreme heat.
• We currently live global warming, which is part of the global warming but is increasing very quickly because of the increase in the greenhouse effect.

Relationship between greenhouse effect and climate change

It should be noted that both concepts did not have a harmful meaning, but that it was some beneficial, even beneficial, that occurred naturally throughout the evolution of the planet and the beings that inhabit it. The impairment of these concepts has happened throughout the last two centuries, since it has been when the population around the world has really begun to see the consequences that lead to the poor management of the resources that the human being has developed, in its vast majority, industrial and technological activities that imply the emission of polluting gases.

That is, climate change is caused by a greenhouse effect that is increasingly triggered, all this is caused because of the human being and the poor management of natural and artificial resources. Therefore, The greenhouse effect, global warming and climate change They are different phenomena and concepts that, of course they are not synonym and you have to learn to differentiate, but that are fully related to each other And they are affected.

As Definition of the greenhouse effect We can indicate that it is a natural phenomenon in which part of the solar radiation that penetrates the earth, bounces in our atmosphere and is not lost in space. That is mainly due to Greenhouse gaseswhich are mostly:

• Water vapor.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Methane (CH4).
• Nitrous oxide (N2O).
• Ozone (O3).
• Chlorofluorocarbones (CFC).

Some of these gases are present in our earthly atmosphere, and they are responsible for retain part of solar radiation that penetrates our planet. Thanks to this mechanism, the earth has the ideal temperature to house life for almost four million years.

The problem lies in that, The human being has unbalanced the proportion of greenhouse gases that are emitted naturally. That is mainly due to causes such as:

• Great industrial development of the last centuries.
• Excess of use of fossil fuels (cars, airplanes, etc).
• Intensive agriculture and livestock.
• Use of aerosols.

In addition, we not only emit more gases that are pollutants for society and have an impact on the planet, but we are also deforesting an unimaginable amount of trees, which capture large amounts of CO2 and regulate the water cycle and the presence of biodiversity on the planet.

In this way, the last century, and due to anthropogenic activities without control, the concept of greenhouse effect, which was initially a beneficial phenomenon for the planet and life in it, has evolved until it is one of the main problems that the society of the twentieth century will ever face.

But really, what does it imply that there is an increase in this type of gase? What consequences can be seen, that have a direct or indirect relationship with the greenhouse effect? To do this, we have to know another concept, called climate change. Before learning about this other concept, if you want to expand information on the greenhouse effect, we recommend reading these other ecology articles about the greenhouse effect: causes, consequences and solutions and what gases produce the greenhouse effect.

The Definition of climate change It can be summarized as it is the Planet Earth temperature variation. This, like the greenhouse effect, is a natural phenomenon that has happened throughout the history of the earth. In fact, there have been several episodes of temperature changes that have affected our planet throughout the evolution of this and their living beings, conditioning their climate and way of life (refuge, obtaining resources, etc.). A very good example, are the glaciations that have been taking place for more than 2 million years. These, through declines and gradual temperature rises, have made fluctuating and evolving populations of beings of all kingdoms, from microorganisms to animals and plant.

But then why is there so much stir with Current climate changeif not the first or the last time this happens on earth? We could say that it is a natural phenomenon and that the human being does not condition it. But it turns out that it is not quite like that. It is true that the temperature of the earth could be rising by several factors, both environmental and conditioned by the activity of living beings. But since the human being began to civilize and create new materials for its benefit and development, the emission of gases, and consequently the temperature, has increased and above all, has been shot alarmingly, since the industrialization of a few centuries ago.

That is mainly due to Increase in greenhouse gas emission to the Earth’s atmosphere. As a greater amount of solar radiation is retained, this makes the global temperature increase, that is, it promotes global warming, causing the displacement of many species, which seek colder areas to be able to adapt. It also causes the thaw of the poles, a fact that causes the sea level to rise by reducing the land space. Therefore, the current problem is that humans, with various of our activities, have caused the Acceleration of climate change or caused a Anthropogenic climate change or “artificial”.

You can learn more details in this other post on causes and consequences of climate change.

The intense rains that cause devastating floods, the frightening fires that sweep millions of hectares or the shocking images of the white coral barrier and dying a little more every day, are only the effects caused by global warming and climate change that we currently live. If we do not get Society is involved And it really creates and see the effects that our actions have, in a few years there will be even more severe and more frequent phenomena, in addition to that many species will disappear, especially from the coldest areas of the earth, because they can no longer adapt to the climate or because their habitat will have disappeared.

Must reduce air pollutionreduce the use of aerosols and pesticides, regulate livestock to make it sustainable and not overexploit it, since that implies, apart from more emissions, also soil pollution. It is essential to understand that in regard to pollution, destruction and, sometimes, death of living beings, it is very difficult to return to the point where it was initially, since the resilience of the planet reaches some extent, but if we surpass it there will be no turning and we will be living in a world that we ourselves have destroyed.

To have a better idea of ​​what can be done to decrease the greenhouse effectglobal warming and stop the acceleration of climate changewe offer you this information about:

• Environmental protocols: What are and examples.
• How to reduce my carbon footprint.
• How to reduce greenhouse gases.
• How to avoid climate change.

If you want to read more articles similar to Differences between greenhouse effect and climate changewe recommend that you enter our category of climate change.