Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere when certain gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and water vapor, trap infrared radiation emitted by the planet's surface.

This process is essential for life on Earth, as it keeps the global temperature at suitable levels by preventing all thermal energy from escaping into space, creating a habitable environment for living organisms. Without the natural greenhouse effect, the Earth would be too cold to sustain life.

However, human activities, such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and intensive agriculture, have significantly increased the concentrations of these gases, intensifying the greenhouse effect. This anthropogenic increase is the main cause of global warming and associated climate changes, such as extreme weather events, glacier melting, and rising sea levels.