how do co2 and other greenhouse gases change the temperature of the earth?

Answer 1

What it all comes down to is chemistry...

You see, the bonds within the carbon dioxide molecule (the bonds between the oxygen and carbon atoms) actually absorb energy (heat), when they are floating up in our atmosphere. This trapping of heat is what everybody calls the greenhouse effect.

But in reality, carbon dioxide isn't the worst greenhouse gas. Most of the heat absorption is done by water vapor and water droplets in our atmosphere (about 97% of the total greenhouse effect).

Even when compared to other greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide isn't the worst. Overall, the worst are CFC's (chloroflorocarbons, also the little guys that destroy the ozone layer), which can absorb 15,000 times more energy than carbon dioxide. Because CFC's can absorb a wavelength of light that no other naturally occuring greenhouse gas can, they can potentially cause the worst damage. Luckily, since they've been banned, they're atmospheric concentration is relatively low.

Another damaging gas is methane (CH4). This gas has 25 times the heat absorbing power of carbon dioxide. While not as concentrated in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, it still causes quite a bit of damage.

Overall, we're got to watch out for carbon dioxide, because it's atmospheric concentration is quite high (and rising every day), and methane, because of its strength.

Answer 2

CO-2 causes a greenhouse effect, where the sun's rays enter, but can't leave. The Earth has a natural CO-2 cycle, but humans are adding so much to the atmosphere that we surpassed the natural cycle multiple times over.

By the way, people who start talking about methane or seem to make up their own facts on the CO-2 cycle REALLY need to go back and finish their high school diploma before speaking as some sort of expert. A few basic science classes would help, too.

Answer 3

CO2 does not change the temperature. U haven't taken the plants into consideration ,because most of the CO2 is gone. Study photosynthesis so u can understand. With plenty of CO2 the plant growth will accelerate until the surplus is taken care of. Mother nature has plenty of balancing systems in it to counter the things we may do. Like That bad methane gas , I don't think they know what they are talking about. The measurements are all wrong,methane is a very light gas so it rises high in the atmosphere, how did they measure it??? They didn't and there calculations are wrong too. The info I have is they have lost it all.

Answer 4

According to Paul Knight, Ph.D., climatologist lecturer at Penn State, about 25% of the 1 degree C warming shown over the last decade can be attributed to CO2 and other pollutants. [See source.].

This point datum is misleading, however. It fails to capture the real seriousness of the current cycle of global warming. That is, it fails to capture the observed data that this specific warming cycle is coming on faster and stronger than any previously measured cycles. That is, the trend line forecasts that this global warming will be warmer than any previous one. There is no telling what the consequences might be. [See "An Inconvenient Truth," a documentary film narrated by Al Gore, ex VP of the U.S.]

Answer 5

It is a matter of reflectivity vs. absorption in the atmosphere that causes the trickle effect of global climate change. CO2 absorbs energy from the sun and then releases it back into our atmosphere. It is a trapping, if you will, of heat. Our total heat budget is being pushed beyond the brink of what is recycled back into the earth and the system is not able to keep up.