Page 6 - Environmental_Climat change
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1.3 Types of greenhouse gases
Some of the greenhouse gases have been present in the Earth’s atmosphere for millions of years and are a
natural component of it. They have enabled the Earth’s climatic conditions in which life has developed. The
factor exacerbating the greenhouse effect are unnatural gases which have appeared in the atmosphere due
to human activity.
Solar radiation (UV - shortwave) reaches the Earth in some parts. In most cases, it is absorbed or reflected
by the upper atmosphere. UV radiation mainly reaches the earth’s surface, warming it up. The Earth emits
heat in the form of infrared waves, which are then absorbed by the greenhouse gases and thus are not
released into space, but spreads in different directions, causing the greenhouse effect.
