How can greenhouse gases harm us?

Answer 1

What are greenhouse gases? At the low concentration levels scientists are talking about, they don't actually harm us directly - its the indirect warming of the planet and changing the climate that's the problem.

Greenhouse gases including #"CO"_2#, #"CH"_4#, and #"N"_2"O"# have been in the atmosphere for billions of years on Earth.
Together they have produced the natural greenhouse effect that has kept the planet around #15^@"C"#, within about #+- 5^@"C"#. Without the natural greenhouse effect, produced from greenhouse gases, its doubtful if life on Earth could have evolved.
The problem is that humans are burning more and more fossil fuels that release #"CO"_2# into the air. We are also emitting methane from natural gas pipelines and introducing new sources of #"N"_2"O"# into the air.

The average yearly temperature of the planets is rising every ten years because we are essentially "on steroids" when it comes to the natural greenhouse effect.

Scientists have warned that the greenhouse effect should not climb higher than #2^@"C"# above pre-industrial levels or else we will be in serious trouble as the climate and weather start to react to a warming world. Trouble is, we have already warmed up the planet by about #1^@"C"# so not much room left! See this related question on the greenhouse effect and global warming.

The effects of global warming include increased extreme weather events, the melting of large ice sheets that will inundate many coastal cities, disruptions to food supplies, more intense heat waves, more droughts, and an overall increase in the number of fatalities. The alarming case studies of Bangladesh and the Alaskan village that has already had to be relocated can be found here and here, respectively.

Indirect effects of global warming on humans include the extinction of species that could have benefited humanity or been essential to an ecosystem, the spread of other species into previously unsuitable areas, and their potential to become pests that ruin crops or spread disease.

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Answer 2

Greenhouse gases can harm us by contributing to global warming and climate change, which can lead to more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity, disruptions to agriculture and food supplies, and adverse health effects due to air pollution and extreme temperatures.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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