Greenhouse Effect — Definition

Definition

The greenhouse effect is the warming influence of atmospheric gases that absorb and emit infrared radiation, altering how Earth loses energy to space. It is a natural part of the climate system; human additions of greenhouse gases strengthen that influence.

The process is not caused by the ozone hole letting more sunlight reach the surface, nor is it identical to the way a closed glass building limits air movement. Explaining it requires distinguishing incoming solar energy, reflected energy and outgoing thermal radiation.

The relevant balance is planetary energy over time, rather than the temperature on one unusually hot or cold day.