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Environment06/10/2026

The Greenhouse Effect: A Visual Explainer

A single infographic tracing how incoming solar radiation becomes trapped heat — from absorption at Earth's surface to greenhouse gas re-emission and net warming.

The Greenhouse Effect: A Visual Explainer

📌 Revision Pointers

  • Solar radiation in → surface absorption → IR re-radiation → GHG trapping → net warming

  • Key gases: CO₂ (GWP = 1), CH₄ (≈28–34), N₂O (≈265–298), water vapour, CFCs (>1,000)

  • Natural effect keeps Earth at ≈+15°C; the enhanced (human-caused) effect drives global warming

Visual flowchart of the five-step greenhouse mechanism, key greenhouse gases by warming potential, and the natural-vs-enhanced effect distinction.

💭 Conclusion

A frequently tested Prelims diagram-based concept — expect questions distinguishing the natural from the enhanced greenhouse effect and ranking GHGs by warming potential.