Solar radiation

The earth is home to millions of organisms, some of the organisms may look similar while others may be very different. The entire organisms on earth are divided into different groups depending on their behavior, similarity or structure. Some plants depend on each other to survive while all animals and even human beings depend on plants for food. Plants also depend on some elements to manufacture its own food; one of the elements is radiation from the sun. Solar radiation can be defined as the electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun. Solar radiation is important in a variety of ways, but it should also be noted that too much exposure to radiation can cause some effects.

Food

Radiation from the sun is the source of energy and even life on planet earth. Radiation is responsible for evaporating water from the water bodies into the atmosphere, which later falls down as snow and rain. The water in turn is used to crops that eventually provide food for the human beings. Without the radiation from the sun plants would die and all animals and even human beings might also perish as they are dependent on the plants (Shelton, 2005).

Health

Radiation from the sun has some health benefits. Human beings get vitamin D from the sun which is good for the body. Human beings need oxygen to be able to breath, the oxygen that human beings and even animals breath in comes from the plants, thus without plants human beings might not be able to get oxygen. Some animals such as the lizards use the radiation from the sun to regulate their body temperature. The ultraviolet rays from the sun which is also known as the black light can be used to sterilize medical equipment. Another benefit of solar radiation that is very common is that it provides light that enables the human beings to see much better during the day time (Shelton, 2005).

Ecosystem Effects

Plants make their own food through a process known as photosynthesis in order for that to happen solar radiation has to be present. The various plants on earth depend on radiation thus without radiation the earth’s ecosystem would have been very different (Shelton, 2005).

Climate

The radiation from the sun provides warmth on earth, without warmth the type of climate on earth would be very different. Planet earth is habitable because of some basic factors including warmth, without radiation maybe the earth could have been too cold for any organism to survive (Rooney, 2008).

Preservation

Radiation from the sun has also been used as a preservative for centuries. There are some communities all over the world that use the radiation from the sun to dry their farm produce such as maize and other cereals. Without the radiation from the produce from the farms cannot be preserved by the communities for future use (Rooney, 2008).

Negative effects of radiation

Too much exposure to radiation has been known to cause some health problems to the human beings such as skin cancer, cataracts and too much exposure to infrared radiation may cause heat stroke. Too much radiation from the sun might also cause plants to wither (U.S. G.P.O 2005).

Conclusion

Solar radiation from the sun is very vital for the survival of all living organisms on earth regardless of the size, species or the structural composition. Without radiation human beings and other life forms cannot survive.Reference

Recognizing the importance of sun safety: report (to accompany H. Res. 169).. (2005). Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O…

Rooney, A. (2008). Solar power. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Pub..

Shelton, H. M., & Shelton, H. M. (2005). The importance of sunshine and sun baths. London: Kessinger Pub..