The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural occurance on the earth. It's where the radiation given off by the sun is reflected off of the earth's surface and transformed into heat to naturally heat the planet. Most of this heat, also known as infra-red radiation, is passed back into space, but with increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases extreme negative affects on the earth climate and enviornment are beginning to take place. The main greenhouse gases (gases that absorb and keep heat with the earth's atmosphere) are Carbon dioxide, methane gas, nitrous oxide and chloroflorocarbons also knon as CFCs.


The rise in temperature due to global warming because of the increased deflection of infra-red radiation by greenhouse gases in the atomosphere is making alternative energy policies become a necessary thought. Instead of relying on fossil fuels, and coal burning; two of our most abundant sources of energy that also lead to massive releases of carbon dioxide into the atomosphere; we need to look toward sources that are inexhaustable such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric possibilites. It is said that solar energy could meet 50% of the nations energy needs by 2050.Wind is also an excellent source for energy. These alternatives need funding, unfortunately with the nations $10 trillion debt and the new pass of the $700 billion buy out of bad debt, projects and investments into these alternatives have been pushed to the side by the presidential candidates. The focus now is getting the nation to become independent of forgein oil.