The greenhouse effect happens when certain gases—known as greenhouse gases—collect in Earth's atmosphere. These gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide ... these human activities add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. As the level of these gases rises, so does the temperature of the Earth. read more
What occurs is that when “greenhouse gases” (gases which contribute to the greenhouse effect, namely carbon dioxide) are released into the atmosphere, they thicken it. Because it becomes thicker, less and less radiation from the sun is able to escape. read more
Other greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are emitted by human activity, but the molecules also occur naturally in the Earth's atmosphere. CFCs, used mostly as refrigerants, are chemicals that were developed in the late 19th century and came into wide use in the mid-20th century. read more
Some of the energy passes back into space, but much of it remains trapped in the atmosphere by the greenhouse gases, causing our globe (earth) to warm up. This warming is what we call Global Warming, and it is caused by the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is important. Without the greenhouse effect, the earth would not be warm enough for humans to live. read more