The Greenhouse Effect on Earth
What It Is and Why It Matters Introduction Have you ever wondered why Earth is warm enough for us to live? The answer lies in a natural process called the greenhouse effect. It’s a crucial part of how our planet stays at just the right temperature. But lately, this process has been getting a bit out of hand—thanks to human activities—leading to what we now know as climate change. In this article, we’ll explore what the greenhouse effect really is, why it’s so important, how human actions are changing it, and what we can do about it. What Exactly Is the Greenhouse Effect? The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that helps keep our planet warm. Think of it like a giant blanket wrapped around Earth. Sunlight reaches the planet and warms the surface. The Earth then radiates some of this heat back toward space as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb a good chunk of this heat and re-emit it in all directions—some back to the surface, trapping the warmth i...