The Earth's atmosphere has changed over time. During the Ice Ages, huge ice glaciers

Question

covered much of North America under hundreds of feet of ice and snow. There have also
been periods of global warming when polar ice has melted, flooding many lowland areas.
One cause of these changes is the amount of materials like dust, soot, ash and gases in the
atmosphere. How much of these materials are in the atmosphere affects the amount of
energy that the Earth can absorb from the sun, making the climate warmer or cooler.
Today about 70% of the sun's energy entering the atmosphere is absorbed by the Earth; the
rest is reflected back into space. At night excess heat radiates from the Earth and the planet
cools. But gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor or air pollution block this radiation process
and prevent the Earth from cooling. This is called the greenhouse effect. There is strong
scientific evidence that increased pollution over the past hundred years has added to the
amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing our climates to change - hotter
summers, new precipitation and wind patterns, stronger cyclones. If the global warming
process continues, our planet will experience serious problems.
Turning on several fans at once can keep you cool in a heat wave.
Reinforced windows keep heat inside your house in the winter.
Opening the door lets the air conditioning out in the summer.
Lighting a fire keeps the drafty ski lodge warm when it’s snowing

Answer 1

The Earth's atmosphere has undergone significant changes throughout its history, influenced by natural climate cycles and human activities. For instance, during the Ice Ages, massive glaciers enveloped large portions of North America, while periods of global warming led to the melting of polar ice caps, resulting in the flooding of coastal regions.

One of the critical factors driving these climatic shifts is the concentration of various materials in the atmosphere, such as dust, soot, ash, and greenhouse gases. These materials play a significant role in regulating the amount of solar energy that the Earth absorbs. Currently, approximately 70% of the solar energy that enters the atmosphere is absorbed by the Earth's surface, while the remainder is reflected back into space. Throughout the night, the Earth radiates excess heat, leading to its cooling. However, certain gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and pollutants hinder this radiation process, creating a "greenhouse effect" that traps heat and keeps the planet warmer.

Evidence suggests that the increase in pollution over the past century has significantly raised the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. This has resulted in warmer summers, altered precipitation patterns, more intense winds, and stronger storms. If this trend of global warming continues, the consequences could be dire for our planet, leading to more severe weather events and other adverse effects on ecosystems and human societies.

In our daily lives, we often employ various methods to manage temperature fluctuations. For example, turning on multiple fans can provide relief during a heat wave, while reinforced windows help maintain warmth in homes during winter. However, actions such as opening doors can let conditioned air escape, particularly during summer months, while lighting a fire can create a cozy atmosphere in a ski lodge, helping to counteract cold drafts outside. These examples underscore the ways we interact with our environment and how we attempt to adapt to changes in temperature, which is a reflection of the broader challenges posed by climate change.