What is the term for the warming caused by elevated CO2 trapping heat in the lower atmosphere?

What is the term for the warming caused by elevated CO2 trapping heat in the lower atmosphere?

• A. Global Warming
• B. Greenhouse Effect
• C. Ozone Layer
• D. Albedo

Answer: (B)

The greenhouse effect is the warming caused by elevated CO2 trapping heat in the lower atmosphere. When sunlight warms Earth, the surface emits infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases like CO2 absorb much of this infrared energy and re-radiate it in all directions, including back toward the surface, which keeps the lower atmosphere and surface warmer than they would be otherwise. Global warming describes the overall increase in Earth's average temperature that results from this enhanced greenhouse effect, while the ozone layer and albedo refer to UV absorption in the upper atmosphere and reflectivity of surfaces, respectively, not the heat-trapping mechanism described here.

The greenhouse effect is the warming caused by elevated CO2 trapping heat in the lower atmosphere. When sunlight warms Earth, the surface emits infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases like CO2 absorb much of this infrared energy and re-radiate it in all directions, including back toward the surface, which keeps the lower atmosphere and surface warmer than they would be otherwise. Global warming describes the overall increase in Earth's average temperature that results from this enhanced greenhouse effect, while the ozone layer and albedo refer to UV absorption in the upper atmosphere and reflectivity of surfaces, respectively, not the heat-trapping mechanism described here.