Question

The given diagram shows the greenhouse effect. Which of the following would occur in the absence of greenhouse effect in the atmosphere?

A. Pollution will increase.
B. Earth’s surface temperature will decrease.
C. Earth’s surface temperature will increase.
D. The ozone layer will increase earth’s temperature.

Answer 1

Hint: The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that causes the surface of the Earth to warm. When sunlight hits the Earth's atmosphere, some of it is reflected into space, while the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. The absorbed energy heats the Earth's atmosphere and surface. This phenomenon makes earth a habitable place.

Complete solution:
Option: A – The absence or presence of greenhouse effect and has no relation with the increase or decrease in pollution.
Thus, option A is not correct.
Option: B – If the greenhouse effect would not occur in the atmosphere, then the heat of the infrared radiations from the sun would go back to outer space and the heat will not be trapped in the earth. This will lead to a decrease in earth’s temperature.
Thus, option B is the correct answer.
Option: C – The earth’s temperature can increase if there is an excess of greenhouse effect occurring due to increased global warming of greenhouse gases. Thus, absence of greenhouse effect in any way cannot increase the earth’s temperature.
Thus, option C is not correct.
Option: D – The ozone layer and the absence of greenhouse effect does not influence an increase in earth’s temperature.
Thus, option D is also not correct.

So, Option B) Earth’s surface temperature will decrease, is the correct answer.

Note:
Human activity, largely the burning of fossil fuels that pump carbon dioxide, methane. Other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere are causing global warming, which is the progressive heating of the Earth's surface, seas, and atmosphere. Global warming has resulted in climate change which has given rise to thermal pollution of the oceans which is gradually disrupting the aquatic ecosystem.