1.1 Introduction
The Greenhouse effect is a leading factor in keeping the Earth warm because it keeps some of the planet's heat that would otherwise escape from the atmosphere out to space. The greenhouse (GH) effect is the basic concept of the IPCC in global warming. The definition of the GH effect, according to AR5 (IPCC, 2012), is the longwave radiation emitted from the Earth’s surface is largely absorbed by certain atmospheric constituents - (greenhouse gases and clouds) - which themselves emit LWR into all directions. The downward directed component of this LWR adds heat to the lower layers of the atmosphere and to the Earth’s surface (greenhouse effect). The greenhouse influence upsurges the temperature of the Earth by trapping heat in our atmosphere. This retains the temperature of the Earth higher than it would be if direct heating by the Sun was the only source of warming (The Royal Society, 2010). When sunlight reaches the surface of the Earth, some of it is absorbed which warms the ground and some jumps back to space as heat. Most Greenhouse gases that are in the atmosphere fascinate and then transmit some of this heat back towards the Earth (Treut et al., 2007).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The greenhouse effect is a foremost factor in keeping the Earth heartfelt because it keeps some of the planet's heat that would otherwise escape from the atmosphere out to space. In fact, without the greenhouse effect the Earth's average global temperature would be much colder and life on Earth as we recognize it would not be possible (U.K. Met Office, 2011). The factor that Earth has an average surface temperature pleasurably between the boiling point and freezing point of water, therefore suitable for our kind of life, cannot be clarified by merely proposing that planet Earth orbits at just the precise space from the sun to absorb just the right amount of solar radiation. The moderate temperatures are also the outcome of having just the precise kind of atmosphere. The atmosphere in planet Venus would produce hellish, Venus- like conditions on planet Earth; the Mars troposphere would leave earth shivering in a Martian-type deep freeze (The Royal Society et al., 2010).
Hartmann (2015) summarizes the final details of the GH effect in this way: “Most of this emitted infrared radiation is absorbed by trace gases and clouds in the overlying atmosphere. The atmosphere also emits radiation, primarily at infrared wavelengths, in all directions. Radiation emitted downward from the atmosphere adds to the warming of Earth’s surface by sunlight. This enhanced warming is termed the greenhouse effect.” According to Hartmann, the atmosphere emits radiation and not only GH gases and clouds, which is an essential difference to the IPCC’s definition.
Additionally, parts of the earth’s atmosphere act as shielding blanket of just the right thickness, receiving appropriate solar energy to keep the global average temperature in an amusing range. The Martian blanket is too thin, and the Venusian blanket is way too thick. The 'blanket' as stated here, is termed as a collection of atmospheric gases called greenhouse gases based on the knowledge that the gases also capture heat similar to the glass walls of a greenhouse.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the Green House Effect on human environment.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that there are difficulty challenges in controlling green house gas emissions for different WWTPs. Measurement uncertainties and lack of transposable data still hinder a correct and required GHG emission quantification process (Guo et al., 2014; Sweetapple et al., 2013; Kim et al., 2015b).
The clear effect of the greenhouse gases is the stable heating of Earth's atmosphere and surface, thus, global warming. The greenhouse effect, collective with growing levels of greenhouse gases and the resultant global warming, is expected to have profound consequences, according to the near-universal consensus of scientists (Archer et al., 2007; Murray et al., 2017).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Green House Effect on human environment. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigation the factors militating Green House effect on the environment
- To determine the greenhouse gases and their impacts on global warming.
- To proffer solution to the above stated problems of the greenhouse effect
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does the greenhouse gas have a significant impact on global warming?
- What are the factors militating Green House effect on the environment?
1.6 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of the research is focused on the assessment of Green House Effect on human environment in Nigeria.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
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