What is the greenhouse effect and where does it occur? How would Earth be different without it?
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs on Earth that helps regulate the planet's temperature. It is caused by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and ozone, trapping some of the heat radiated from the Earth's surface, which keeps the planet warm enough to sustain life.
Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth's average temperature would be -18°C (0°F), which is far too cold for most forms of life. Additionally, without the greenhouse effect, Earth would not have a stable climate that it does now, making weather patterns and temperatures more extreme and unpredictable.
However, excessive greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, is causing an unnatural increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to accelerated global warming and climate change.