Are greenhouse gases good?

While many people understand that the greenhouse effect is natural, they may also associate greenhouse gases with global warming and, therefore, label these gases as bad. Yet, life on Earth evolved in a certain way because of how these gases regulate Earth's temperature. read more

These “greenhouse gases” are very good at absorbing infrared light. They spread the heat back to the land and the oceans. So greenhouse gases act sort of (though not exactly) like the glass in the greenhouse. They let sunlight through on its way in from space, but intercept some of the infrared light on its way back out. read more

So the greenhouse effect is a good thing. (In a real greenhouse, it’s warmer inside because the structure prevents cooler outside air from mixing with the warmer air inside the greenhouse.) But an enhanced greenhouse effect can lead to global warming. read more