What causes the greenhouse effect?

Question

Clara Addison · Accepted Answer

The greenhouse effect is caused by the trapping of energy in the lower atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect is caused by the trapping of energy in the lower atmosphere. The type of energy (visible radiation) that the sun emits easily passes through the atmosphere and reaches the surface of the earth. The type of energy (infrared radiation) that is emitted from the surface of the earth does not pass through the atmosphere as easily, causing a warming effect.

To learn more, read related Socratic questions about how greenhouse gases cause the greenhouse effect, which gases are greenhouse gases, and how the greenhouse effect is connected to global warming.

Hannah Amos · Answer

undefined The greenhouse effect is primarily caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor, trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping back into space, leading to a warming effect on the planet's surface. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, significantly contribute to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, intensifying the greenhouse effect and driving climate change.