Home > Terms > English, UK (UE) > Greenhouse effect

Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect causes the atmosphere to trap more heat energy at the Earth's surface and within the atmosphere by absorbing and re-emitting longwave energy. Of the longwave energy emitted back to space, 90% is intercepted and absorbed by greenhouse gases. Without the greenhouse effect the Earth's average global temperature would be -18° Celsius, rather than the present 15° Celsius. In the last few centuries, the activities of humans have directly or indirectly caused the concentration of the major greenhouse gases to increase. Scientists predict that this increase may enhance the greenhouse effect making the planet warmer. Some experts estimate that the Earth's average global temperature has already increased by 0. 3 to 0. 6° Celsius, since the beginning of this century, because of this enhancement.

This is auto-generated content. You can help to improve it.
0
Collect to Blossary

Member comments

You have to log in to post to discussions.

Terms in the News

Featured Terms

Harry8L
  • 0

    Terms

  • 0

    Blossaries

  • 1

    Followers

Industry/Domain: Politics Category: European politics

Anette Schavan

Annette Schavan (born 10 June 1955 in Jüchen, district Grevenbroich) is a German politician (CDU). She was from 1995 to 2005 Minister of Culture, ...

Contributor

Featured blossaries

Abandoned Places

Category: Geography   1 9 Terms

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge

Category: Technology   4 4 Terms