Carbon Dioxide Properties: The Warming EffectCarbon Dioxide Properties: The Warming Effect One of the Carbon Dioxide properties, and the major concern for us, is its ability to trap heat that would otherwise be radiated from the surface of the planet back into space. This has been occurring naturally since the formation of the planet and the presence of Carbon Dioxide is a natural part of the chemistry of the atmosphere. How Does It Act As A Warming Agent? Along with methane and water, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) absorbs energy at lower wavelengths than the other major atmospheric gases Nitrogen (N2) and Oxygen (O2). The range of energy can be thought of in relation to the rainbow. Frequencies above the violet end of the rainbow are higher energy such as ultra violet. Frequencies lower than the red end of the rainbow are lower energy such as infra red. Heat radiation is at the low end of the energy scale. When a molecule of Carbon dioxide is exposed to long low energy wavelengths, it absorbs this energy and its speed increases. This added speed is an above-normal energy state, meaning it is hotter than it would normally be. Eventually this molecule will lose, or radiate, this heat again and return to its normal state. 
The energy it releases is the same as the energy it absorbed, and so it not only absorbs but also emits long wavelength heat energy. This energy is radiated in all directions; upwards into space, and downwards back towards the Earth.What is the Problem? For every extra molecule of CO2 in the atmosphere, additional heat is reflected down back towards the Earth. This means that some heat that would otherwise have been lost from the atmosphere is trapped. Given large enough quantities of CO2 in the atmosphere the amount of trapped heat will cause a rise in the temperature of some parts of the atmosphere. This change in temperature can have dramatic effects. Even a slight rise in surface temperature will result in increased evaporation from the ocean surfaces. Water is also a Greenhouse gas, and the Greenhouse effect of added CO2 in the atmosphere is compounded by the additional water vapour it causes. It is important to keep this most significant of carbon dioxide properties in mind, as doing so will motivate us to reduce our carbon emissions. Reducing Carbon Dioxide This approach does treats only the symptom but not the cause of the problem. What is needed is a overall decrease in energy usage as well as a massive push for that energy to be supplied from renewable sources. We can also help by considering purchasing carbon offset credits for various aspects of our lifestyles. This is the only long term approach that will be sustainable for generations to come. |
