What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect refers to the warming of the Earth’s surface that occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, trap heat. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, among others. When the sun’s energy reaches the Earth, some of it is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed and warms the planet. The Earth then emits this energy back toward space in the form of infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate some of this energy, preventing it from escaping into space, which leads to an overall warming of the atmosphere and the Earth's surface.

This process is essential for maintaining the temperature that allows life to thrive on Earth. Without the greenhouse effect, our planet would be too cold to support most forms of life as we know them. While human activities have significantly enhanced the natural greenhouse effect and contributed to global warming, the fundamental mechanism itself is a natural phenomenon critical for sustaining ecosystems and weather patterns.