The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when gases in Earths atmosphere trap the Suns heat, making Earth much warmer than it would be otherwise. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat similar to the glass roof of a greenhouse. The greenhouse effect is a good thing because it warms the planet to temperatures that keep life on Earth livable. Without it, the world would be more like Mars: a frozen, uninhabitable place. However, human activities are changing Earths natural greenhouse effect by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly through the burning of fossil fuels that add carbon dioxide to the air. Too much of these greenhouse gases can cause Earths atmosphere to trap more and more heat, leading to global warming and climate change. The main greenhouse gases that contribute to the Earths greenhouse effect are water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and ozone.
To summarize, the greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps Earth warm and habitable, but human activities are amplifying it and causing global warming and climate change.
