The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs on Earth which helps to keep the planet's temperature within a range suitable for life. It is the process by which atmospheric gases, primarily water vapor and carbon dioxide, trap some of the sun's heat that would otherwise be radiated back into space. This trapped heat warms the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, resulting in a stable and hospitable climate. However, human activity such as burning fossil fuels has increased the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which leads to an enhanced greenhouse effect, causing the Earth's temperature to rise more rapidly than it would naturally. This is referred to as climate change or global warming.
