In what manner do greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature?

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's temperature through the greenhouse effect. They allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere and reach the Earth's surface, where it is absorbed and then re-radiated as infrared radiation—essentially heat.

However, instead of letting all this heat escape back into space, greenhouse gases trap some of it in the atmosphere. This process creates a warming effect that maintains the Earth's temperature at a level necessary to support life. Without these gases, our planet would be significantly colder, and many forms of life would struggle to survive.

The idea of greenhouse gases trapping heat and leading to an increase in the Earth's temperature is particularly significant in the context of climate change, as rising levels of these gases lead to an enhanced greenhouse effect, resulting in higher global temperatures and various environmental impacts.