What does the greenhouse effect refer to?

The greenhouse effect refers to the warming of Earth due to greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere. This phenomenon occurs when sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface, and some of that energy is reflected back towards space. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, absorb and re-emit some of this infrared radiation, preventing it from escaping into space. This process helps to maintain the Earth’s temperature at a level conducive to life. Without the greenhouse effect, our planet would be too cold to support the wide range of ecosystems that exist today. Thus, the key element of this concept lies in the ability of greenhouse gases to capture and hold heat, which leads to an overall warming effect on the planet.