Page 22 - Article-1

Some gases absorb infrared radiation. We know that best as heat. These special gases release heat energy, too.
These gases are called greenhouse gases. They are naturally found in the atmosphere.

The Sun's energy reaches Earth. Earth heats up. Its greenhouse gases absorb and trap that heat. Heat energy
stays in Earth's system longer. This keeps Earth's average surface temperature around 15 degrees Celsius. (That's
59 degrees Fahrenheit.)
What if the atmosphere had no greenhouse gases? Infrared radiation would rise straight through the
atmosphere. It would escape into space. Earth would be colder. It would be about 18 below 0 degrees Celsius.
(That's 0 degrees Fahrenheit). Water would freeze. It would be too cold for most life.

But remember what you read on page 1. Many human activities greatly increase greenhouse gases. Burning
fossil fuels increases greenhouse gases. So does clearing forests. Farming does, too. This causes more trapped
heat. It affects weather patterns. It affects climates worldwide. Why is that? The oceans and atmosphere are
connected.

Oceans also absorb and store heat. Then, they slowly release it. The atmosphere and the oceans always
exchange their heat. So as the ocean's heat increases, weather and climates change. Extreme weather events
happen more often. Hurricanes and typhoons get worse. Droughts last longer. Ice caps and glaciers melt. Sea
levels rise. This leads to flooding.

Oceans also soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are
increasing. Oceans now soak up more, but it has made them more acidic. This affects some marine animals.
Which ones? Corals, clams, and oysters. Some can't reach adulthood. Many can't build skeletons and shells.

Dictionary

approve (verb) to accept

emissions (noun) gases that are released into the air, especially by cars and factories

greenhouse gas (noun) a gas that absorbs heat and warms up Earth's air

infrared radiation (noun) radiation of lower frequencies than visible light

initiative (noun) a plan designed to deal with a problem
research (verb) to do a study on something; to look into something to learn more about it