What is the greenhouse effect? What are its consequences and how can it be reduced?

The Greenhouse effect – what is it and how does it occur?

The greenhouse effect can be compared to a greenhouse. Greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere (there are several of them) prevent solar energy, which reaches the surface of our planet and warms it, from escaping back into space. In this way, greenhouse gases support life on Earth by creating optimal conditions for its development. Without greenhouse gases, it is estimated that the average temperature on Earth would be around -18°C instead of +15°C, so we would all be living like Eskimos in Arctic-like conditions.

So, can we say unequivocally that the greenhouse effect is a negative phenomenon? Certainly not – but only under one condition: it must occur naturally. Unfortunately, human activity, especially since the 20th century when industrial production began to spread on a massive scale, has significantly increased greenhouse gas emissions, thereby leading to an excessive and uncontrolled rise in Earth’s temperature.

According to the Kyoto Protocol (December 1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015), seven types of greenhouse gases are distinguished:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – produced mainly by burning fossil fuels
• Methane (CH₄) – emitted from coal, natural gas, and oil production and transport, as well as agriculture
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O) – generated by agriculture, industry, and wastewater treatment
• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – used in HVAC systems, technical aerosols, and fire extinguishers
• Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) – used as liquid dielectrics, in cosmetics production, and ski waxes
• Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) – widely used for insulating power lines
• Nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) – used to clean production chambers and remove impurities from microprocessors and electronic circuits during manufacturing

The European Union is working intensively to phase out perfluorocarbons by 2050, but such radical actions are not possible for every greenhouse gas. That is why, when designing a business model, it is worth analyzing a company’s demand for greenhouse gases from the very beginning. Perhaps they can be replaced with another neutral but equally effective compound?

A good solution may be replacing conventional fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. Solar, wind, or marine energy can just as effectively power electrical devices or production lines without polluting the environment. This is important not only for companies that want to create the image of a responsible market participant, but also for those required to implement ESG reporting.

How does the greenhouse effect work? Mechanisms

It is no coincidence that the greenhouse effect is also called the greenhouse phenomenon. Solar radiation passes through the atmosphere from outside and warms the planet’s surface. The thermal energy created in this way is reflected from land and water bodies, returning toward the atmosphere. Some of this heat radiation passes through the greenhouse gas layer, but not all. The higher the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the more radiation is trapped and reflected back to Earth, warming it further.

As a result, global warming occurs, and Earth’s temperature rises. Depending on the region, this increase will vary. The greatest fluctuations are observed over the poles and land masses, where over the course of a few decades, temperatures may rise by as much as 8°C.

What are the effects of the greenhouse effect? Impact on climate and life on Earth

The effects of global warming are difficult to capture in the short term or locally. They are easiest to see by analyzing global environmental changes. Rising temperatures lead to:

• Increased precipitation – every degree of warming increases rainfall intensity by 7%, raising the risk of floods
• Faster melting of glaciers, ice caps, and snow cover
• Rising sea levels – it is estimated that by 2100, sea levels will rise by more than a meter
• Ocean acidification – carbon dioxide combines with seawater to form carbonic acid, lowering pH and threatening marine organisms

Global warming also negatively affects life on land and biodiversity. Every organism has its own habitat suited to its needs, and very few plants and animals can adapt to new ones (and even when they do, the change usually causes more harm than good). According to researchers, just a 2°C increase above average would cause 18% of insects, 8% of vertebrates, and 16% of plants to lose half of their current habitats – for many species, this would mean extinction.

Unfortunately, not all climate changes caused by global warming can be predicted or prepared for. These sudden changes are often referred to as tipping points. They include the collapse of large ice masses in Antarctica and Greenland, disruption of thermohaline circulation (the global ocean current system), or the sudden release of massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere due to the breakdown of clathrates (ice structures containing gas molecules).

How to reduce the greenhouse effect? Practical tips and solutions

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a company must first measure its current output. This means summing up both direct and indirect emissions, including those generated by subcontractors or suppliers.

There are many ways to reduce greenhouse gas production. Leading solutions include the use of renewable energy sources and improvements in technological efficiency. Another option is to require subcontractors (e.g., battery manufacturers for electric cars) to source energy from renewables, ensuring that the entire supply chain is “green.”

Companies can also participate in carbon offset initiatives, which balance CO₂ emissions through activities such as afforestation, carbon sequestration, or DAC (Direct Air Capture) – removing carbon dioxide directly from the air.

Another approach is environmental education for employees and granting them special rights, such as an extra day off for ecological activities.

Investing in reducing the greenhouse effect is ultimately in everyone’s interest. Companies that want to meet growing legal requirements should therefore take real action to limit harmful emissions into the atmosphere. If you are looking for ways to protect the environment consciously while maintaining productivity, contact us – we will create a personalized development plan for your business!