# Life Exists on Earth Easier because We Live in a Greenhouse?

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/12/life-exists-on-earth-easier-because-we-live-in-a-greenhouse/
- Published: 2019-12-15T17:13:45-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

According to [NOVA and PBS](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ice/greenhouse.html), 
of all the planets in our solar system, the Earth is the only one that—as far as
we know—supports life. So why is our planet alone so hospitable? In part, we owe
our existence to a process called the greenhouse effect.

Inside [commercial greenhouses](https://www.roughbros.com/) filled with plants, 
the surrounding glass traps the sun’s energy, therefore making it warm inside even
while the outdoor temperature may be much colder. This same effect happens every
day on Earth. Gases within the atmosphere act like glass and trap the sun’s heat.
These gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, 
and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Just like any other planet, the Earth absorbs the sun’s heat and radiates it back
towards space. Then the greenhouse gases counteract that heat loss, trapping heat.
It then reflects it back towards the Earth. The more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,
the more heat that is trapped. The less the amount of greenhouse gases, the less
heat that is trapped. Earth has just the right amount to help life flourish.

Too many of these gases, as is the case on Venus, would create a runaway greenhouse
and a sizzling hot surface. On the other hand, without any greenhouse gases, much
of the sun’s heat would be lost. So the Earth would become a frozen wasteland with
an average temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).

Each greenhouse gas has its own important role in trapping the sun’s heat, the most
significant of which is water vapor. On a clear day, water vapor can comprise 60
to 70 percent of the greenhouse effect. Next is carbon dioxide which contributes
an additional 25 percent. Some gases trap solar radiation from the sun better than
others. For example, while man-made CFCs are one of the least plentiful gases, they
actually have a greater relative impact than many others.

⌊Do we live in a greenhouse on this planet? schematic of CO2's actions in atmosphere⌉⌊
Do we live in a greenhouse on this planet? schematic of CO2's actions in atmosphere⌉
The changes in the balance and concentration of all these gases can affect the Earth’s
temperature. Therefore these temperature changes are often referred to as “global
warming” or “global cooling.”

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere have been naturally rising and falling
for billions of years, creating cold and [warm periods in the Earth’s](https://greenlivingguy.com/2008/04/earth-temperature-noaa-global-warming-data/)
history. For example, as the Ice Age progressed, scientists believe the amount of
natural carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dropped over thousands of years, reducing
the greenhouse effect, and making the Earth cooler. But many disagree on how that
change in carbon dioxide occurred (see [“Big Chill”](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ice/chill.html)

by Kirk Maasch).

Today, scientists are looking at effects of global warming as they debate the long-
term impact of man-made carbon dioxide and CFCs entering the atmosphere. Many climatologists
argue that we are artificially increasing the greenhouse effect, [warming the Earth](https://greenlivingguy.com/2008/04/earth-temperature-noaa-global-warming-data/)
faster than would occur naturally, which could cause problems for the Earth in the
future.

In conclusion and even as scientist debate the impact of changes to the greenhouse
gases, there is still one fact with which they all can agree.That’s without the 
greenhouse effect, life on this planet would not be the same. In fact, we would 
not be here at all.

Finally and to learn more about the atmosphere and its many layers, take a look 
at [The Atmosphere](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/balloon/science/atmosphere.html),
part of the [“Balloon Race Around the World” Online Adventure](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/balloon/).

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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