The greenhouse effect refers to the tendency of greenhouse gases toGroup of answer choicesabsorb solar radiationabsorb terrestrial radiation

The greenhouse effect refers to the tendency of greenhouse gases to absorb terrestrial radiation. This process involves several steps:

1. Solar radiation from the sun reaches the Earth's atmosphere - some of it is reflected back into space.
2. The rest of the sun's energy is absorbed by the land and the oceans, heating the Earth.
3. Heat radiates from Earth towards space.
4. Some of this heat is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth warm enough to sustain life.
5. However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation, are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, strengthening the greenhouse effect and causing global warming.