The Greenhouse Effect is a natural phenomenon that warms up the
earth. It works on the same principles as the ordinary garden glasshouse, which
allows the light to get in, but does not allow the heat to get out. The earth is
surrounded by a shield of atmospheric gases primarily nitrogen (78 %), and
oxygen (21%). The remainder of the air composition is made up of what are
called as “trace gases,” which include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4) etc. The earth maintains its temperature through insulation
with a 'thermal blanket' of greenhouse gases which allow penetration of the
sun's rays but prevent some heat radiating back into space. Light from the sun
penetrates the atmosphere and reaches the earth surface, warming it up.
Author: Waluyo Eko Cahyono (waluyo at bdg dot lapan dot go dot id)
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