What is the greenhouse effect?

Answered on : 2024-01-23

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The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun. These gases, known as greenhouse gases, include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O).

Here's how it works:

1. Sunlight enters the Earth's atmosphere.

2. Some of the sunlight is absorbed by the Earth's surface and warms it.

3. The Earth's surface then emits heat in the form of infrared radiation.

4. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and re-radiate some of this heat back towards the Earth's surface.

5. This trapped heat keeps the planet's temperature within a range that allows for life.

However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect. This enhanced effect leads to global warming and climate change, with potentially serious consequences for the environment and ecosystems.

References:

- [1] Wikipedia - Greenhouse effect

- [2] NASA Climate Kids - What Is the Greenhouse Effect?

- [3] Britannica - Greenhouse effect