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How does the greenhouse effect work?

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Quick answer

The greenhouse effect works like a blanket: sunlight warms Earth's surface, the surface radiates heat back toward space, and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and re-emit some of that heat downward — keeping the planet warm. Sunlight passes through the atmosphere and warms the surface.

Step by step

  1. Sunlight passes through the atmosphere and warms the surface.
  2. The warm surface radiates infrared heat upward.
  3. Greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane, water vapor) absorb and re-radiate that heat, trapping some.
  4. More greenhouse gases trap more heat, warming the climate.

People also ask

Which gases cause the greenhouse effect?
Mainly carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and nitrous oxide.
Is the greenhouse effect natural?
Yes — it keeps Earth warm enough for life. The problem is the extra warming from human-added gases.
How does it cause climate change?
Adding more greenhouse gases traps extra heat, steadily raising global temperatures.