The greenhouse effect is the process by which heat is trapped near the Earth's surface by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide, act like the glass roof of a greenhouse, allowing sunlight to shine onto the Earth's surface but trapping the heat that reflects back up into the atmosphere. This process helps maintain a warmer temperature than it would have otherwise, making Earth a habitable planet. However, human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, have led to an increase in greenhouse gases, disrupting Earth's energy balance and causing temperatures to rise
. The greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining the planet's average temperature at around 15°C (59°F). Without it, the surface temperatures would be cooler by about 33°C (59°F), making the Earth a frozen, uninhabitable place. While the natural greenhouse effect is a good thing, the increase in greenhouse gases due to human activities has amplified this effect, leading to global warming and climate change
