Furthermore approximately 30% of sunlight is reflected off the earth's surface, clouds and ice back into space with the remaining 70% being absorbed by the earth, sea. The earth's atmosphere is then able to use this absorbed heat from the earth as the earth radiates heat back into the atmosphere. This radiated heat is mostly absorbed by water vapour or green house gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane. The problem is that these green house gasses absorb the radiated heat and then further radiate it in all directions. This is what causes an increase in the earth's surface temperature.
Another important factor contributing to global warming is snow and ice, or the lack thereof. The more the earth warms, the more ice melts. Because ice and snow are white they are able to reflect some of the suns energy back into space. However with less surface area of ice cover, darker spots on the land and sea will absorb this energy and later radiate this into the atmosphere. The problem is also that the higher surface temperatures cause an increase in water vapour in the atmosphere allowing for an increase in green house gasses and ultimately an increase in the earth's surface temperature, all of which will perpetuate this cycle. Unfortunately we are also causing deforestation that would usually remove some of the carbon dioxide from the environment decrease green house gases.
Looking forward, solar house plans, geothermal and wind energy and other technologies have to come to the party as a viable option. As we have seen around the world most countries have some sort of alternative energy plan in place. For us as the end users it may not seem to be a feasible option to install solar panels in your home. However this is a misconception and the ever evolving technology does allow us to use green technologies, we just need to be able to act on what we know is best for the future.
