What causes the greenhouse effect?

Much is said about the greenhouse effect, lately as if it were something negative, something that can cause us many problems both to humans and to the rest of the living beings that inhabit planet Earth. But do we know what causes it and how important it is to life?

Then I will explain what is and what causes the greenhouse effect so that, in this way, you can understand a little more the planet that has touched us.

What is the greenhouse effect?

It is a process by which radiation that is emitted from the sun is absorbed by greenhouse gases o GHG (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide, ozone and chlorofluorocarbons) found in the atmosphere and radiated in all directions. Some of this radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface, so that the average surface temperature rises, allowing life to exist.

However, human activity has intensified this natural process, thus aggravating global warming.

What consequences does it have?

The natural greenhouse effect has allowed life as we know it to exist and develop; However, as human beings deforest forests, use fossil fuels, pollute and, ultimately, do not take care of the planet, the concentration of GHGs, especially carbon dioxide, have only increased.

As a consequence, more radiation is returned to the surface, causing a increase in mean temperature, melting of the polar ice caps, which would cause sea level rise, desert advance , changes in seasons, and alterations in rainfall patterns.

The greenhouse effect is a process that should remain natural. Therefore, it is important to stop destroying the planet.