Greenhouse effect, a warming of Earth’s surface and troposphere (the lowest layer of the atmosphere) caused by the presence of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and certain other gases in the air. The greenhouse effect is the process by which the Earth’s atmosphere retains heat due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane in the air. Greenhouse gases let the sun’s light shine onto Earth’s surface, but they trap the heat that reflects back up into the atmosphere. In this way, they act like the insulating glass walls of a greenhouse. The greenhouse effect keeps Earth’s climate comfortable. What is the greenhouse effect? Earth’s atmosphere is composed of an assortment of gases, some of which trap heat. These gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) water vapor (H2O), ozone (O3), and more, are referred to as greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases help insulate the planet, capturing heat from incoming solar radiation. […]
