The "greenhouse effect" is the warming that occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere retain

heat. These gases let light in but keep heat like the glass walls of a greenhouse. First, sunlight
shines on Earth's surface, where it is absorbed, and then returns to the atmosphere as heat. In the
atmosphere, greenhouse gases retain some of this heat and the rest escapes into space. The more
greenhouse gases, the more calories are retained. This greenhouse effect is what makes Earth's
climate fit for life. Without it, the Earth's surface would be about 60 degrees. Greenhouse gas
levels have increased and decreased during Earth's history, but have been fairly constant for the
last few. Global mean temperatures have remained fairly constant during this time period until
recently.

Some consequences of the greenhouse effect are: sea level growth, species extinction,
disappearance of cities, human extinction and reduction of forests.