Global+Futures

**﻿Global Futures** The Greenhouse Effect is a naturally occuring process which helps in heating the Earth's surface and atmosphere. This results from certain atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane, which are able to change the energy balance of the planet by asbsorbing longwave radiation emitted from the Earth's surface. Without the greenhouse effect life on this plante would not exist as the average temperature of the Earth would be about 18 degress celsius, rather than the present 15.
 * The Greenhouse Effect**

The problem today is that the atmosphere and surface are becoming too hot from the pollution we are creating. The sun ray's are getting trapped and cannot escape which is heating the Earth up. Due to this ice is melting rapidly and in future years sea levels are expected to rise, covering many cities including Tokyo and Manhattan.

**The Ozone Layer Depletion** The ozone layer protects the Earth from the ultraviolet rays sent down by the sun. If the ozone layer is depleted by human action, the effects on the planet could be catastrophic. Ozone is present in the stratosphere. The stratosphere reaches 30 miles above the Earth, and at the very top it contains ozone. The suns rays are absorbed by the oxone in the stratosphere and thus do not reach the Earth. Ozone is a bluish gas and when it is found on the surface of the planet, ozone is considered a dangerous pollutant and is one substance responsible for producing the greenhouse effect. The highest regions of stratosphere contain about 90% of all ozone. In recent years, the ozone layer has been the subject of much discussion. This is because the ozone layer protects both plant and animal life on the plant. Antarctica was an early victim of ozone destruction. A massive hole in the ozone layer right above Antarctic now threatens not only that continent, but many others that could be the victims of Antarctica's melting icecaps. In the future, the ozone problem will have to be solved so that the protective layer can be conserved. Link: []