Greenhouse Effect

Definition

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.

Related terms

Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A colorless gas produced by burning carbon-based fuels and through respiration. It's a major contributor to the greenhouse effect.

Global Climate Change: This refers to changes in global patterns of climate over long periods due to various factors including increase in concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by use of fossil fuels.

Radiation: Energy that comes from a source and travels through space at speed of light. This can be forms such as heat or light. In context of greenhouse effect, sun's radiation plays key role.