Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural thing that keeps our planet warm enough for life. Sunlight shines down and heats the ground. Some of that heat bounces back toward space. Gases in the air catch some of the heat and hold it. Without this, Earth would be a frozen ball.

How It Works

Earth's air has gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These are called greenhouse gases. They let sunlight pass through but trap heat going back up. It works a little like a glass greenhouse that grows plants. The trapped warmth lets us live comfortably on Earth.

An old page from 1856 describes how gases keep our planet warm.
An old page from 1856 describes how gases keep our planet warm. (Eunice Newton Foote / Wikimedia Commons)

Too Much of a Good Thing

People add extra greenhouse gases by burning fuel and cutting forests. More gas means more heat is trapped. This makes Earth warmer than it should be. That is what causes global warming. Using clean energy helps keep the balance right.

Fun Facts

  • Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be about 60 degrees colder.
  • Water vapor is actually the most common greenhouse gas.
  • Venus has a super strong greenhouse effect and is very hot.

Did You Know?

The word greenhouse comes from the glass buildings used to grow plants in cold weather.