What is the greenhouse effect ?

The greenhouse effect is when greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap the sun’s heat, and result in higher temperatures. This heat is then kept close to the Earth’s surface, resulting in temperature rises.

The greenhouse effect is when greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere trap the sun’s heat, and result in higher temperatures. This heat is then kept close to the Earth’s surface.

There are two different variations of the greenhouse gas effect:

• Natural Greenhouse Gas Effect: Refers to the Earth resting at an average temperature of 15°C, and without it – the Earth would be a freezing –18°C.
• Enhanced Greenhouse Gas Effect: Refers to the increase in the Earth's atmospheric temperature as a result of manmade emissions. 

In the absence of the natural greenhouse effect the surface of the Earth would be approximately 33 °C cooler. The enhanced greenhouse effect refers to the additional radiative forcing resulting from increased concentrations of gree

The greenhouse effect is a natural process, which refers to how certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere, otherwise known as greenhouse gases (GHGs), trap heat from the Sun and prevent it from escaping back into space and keeping the planet’s surface warmer than it would be otherwise. Without the greenhouse gas effect, the Earth’s average temperature would stay at around -18°C (0°F) instead of the current +15°C (59°F), which would make life on Earth impossible.

Here’s how the Greenhouse Gas effect works:

1. Sun emits energy in the form of light and heat.
2. A portion of this energy is then absorbed by Earth’s surface, which warms the surrounding land and oceans.
3. This heat is then radiated back toward space as infrared energy.
4. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and water vapor, all absorb and re-emit this infrared radiation, which traps heat in the atmosphere.

Although the greenhouse effect itself is an essential process in nature, human activities have exacerbated the greenhouse effect to the extent it has intensified global warming. This is because burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and producing industrial emissions, have increased the concentration of GHGs, leading to enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming.

Examples of greenhouse gases

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) which is produced by burning fossil fuels and emitted from cut down trees in the process of deforestation.
• Methane (CH₄) which is emitted by agriculture, landfills, and fossil fuel extraction.
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O) which is released from fertilizers and certain industrial activities.
• Fluorinated gases which are man-made and used in refrigeration and industrial processes.
  

FAQ

Is the greenhouse effect bad?

While the greenhouse effect isn’t inherently bad, as it’s a natural process essential for life – but the issue is the enhanced greenhouse effect which has been spurred by excess GHG emissions from human activity, which has led to global warming.

What’s the difference between the greenhouse effect and climate change?

The greenhouse effect is the process of trapping heat, whereas climate change refers to the long-term shifts in temperature, weather, and ecosystems as a result of increased temperatures. 

Can we reduce the greenhouse effect?

While we can’t eradicate the greenhouse effect entirely seeing as it’s a natural process, we can make an effort to reduce the current negative effects by making an effort to lower existing greenhouse gas emissions.

How quickly are greenhouse gases increasing?

CO₂ levels have been skyrocketing over the last 800,000 years, and are continuing to rise faster than ever before.