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The 'greenhouse effect' occurs when heat is trapped in the atmosphere by gases such as carbon dioxide, methane nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. Carbon dioxide is the major contributor to the greenhouse effect. The Sun's energy heats the surface of the Earth, although some of that heat is radiated back into space and the planet cools.
However, some gases in the atmosphere, such as those listed above, prevent this radiation and are called 'greenhouse gases' because they trap the heat. Since the 1900s humans have been causing emissions of huge amounts of greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide (CO2).
Without the greenhouse effect, heat can escape out of the atmosphere.
With the greenhouse effect, some heat is trapped by the atmosphere.
Find out more about the greenhouse effect.
