37. Runaway Greenhouse Effect If we were to move the Earth closer to the Sun, like where Venus is now, then we would suffer the runaway greenhouse effect as well, lose all the water, and become hot like Venus.
38. Other planets also have Greenhouse Effects, but these are unsuitable for life Venus Atmosphere: mass 90x earth’s GH Gases: >90% CO2 Sfc. Temp.: 477C GH Effect: 523C FAR TOO HOT! Earth GH Gases: ~0.04% CO2 ~ 1% H2O Sfc. Temp.: 15C GH Effect: 33C NOT BAD! Atmosphere: mass <1% earth’s GH Gases: >80% CO2 Sfc. Temp.: -47C GH Effect: 10C FAR TOO COLD! Mars Sun
39. SUMMARY Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation and prevent it from escaping to space. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are very good At capturing energy at wavelengths that other compounds