how would life on earth be affected if the atmosphere did NOT contain greenhouse gases
If the atmosphere did not contain greenhouse gases, the Earth would be much colder than it currently is. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor help trap heat from the sun, leading to the warmer temperatures that make Earth habitable for life as we know it.
Without greenhouse gases, the Earth's surface temperature would be significantly lower, perhaps even below freezing in many areas. This would have a number of serious consequences for life on Earth:
1. Plant and animal life would struggle to survive in such cold conditions, leading to a loss of biodiversity and possibly mass extinction events.
2. Many ecosystems would be disrupted or destroyed due to the inability of plants and animals to adapt to the extreme cold.
3. Agricultural productivity would be severely impacted, leading to food shortages and famine for human populations.
4. Human populations would also struggle to survive in such harsh conditions, as heating and infrastructure systems would be unable to keep up with the cold temperatures.
Overall, the absence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would make Earth inhospitable for most forms of life, leading to catastrophic consequences for the planet and its inhabitants.