Greenhouse Effect Definition

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that helps to regulate the Earth’s temperature. The Earth’s atmosphere traps energy from the sun. This trapped energy makes the Earth’s surface warmer than it would be without an atmosphere. Greenhouse gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone absorb some of this energy and re-radiate it back to the Earth’s surface, further trapping heat.

While the greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth, human activity has caused an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, resulting in a phenomenon called global warming. Global warming refers to an increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface. This increased temperature can lead to significant changes in climate, including more extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods.