The greenhouse effect is the warming of the earth’s surface and the air above it. It is caused by gases in the air that trap energy from the sun. The heat-trapping gases are known as greenhouse gases.
During the day, the sun’s solar energy penetrates the earth’s atmosphere. The earth’s surface then warms up. At night, the earth’s surface cools down, releasing the heat back into the air. Some of the heat, however, gets trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That is what keeps our earth at an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius.
The greenhouse effect is now too strong, and the earth is getting warmer and warmer. Too much greenhouse gas, created by human activities, is contained in the atmosphere, trapping solar energy.
Greenhouse Effect
More heat escapes into space
radiation
Re-radiated heat
Re-radiated heat
Solar
Less heat escapes into space
radiation Solar Natural
Greenhouse Effect Intensified by Humans
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Greenhouse gas emissions by type: Carbon dioxide (CO2) (fossil fuel use)
Go to YouTube and look up ‘Climate change according to a kid (Rappler)’ (watch up to 1:45).
