Greenhouse Effect

The impact of human activities cause certain gases to be released and trapped in to the Earth's atmosphere. The gases absorb the sun's energy and cause the earth to warm at a faster rate than usual. It is named after the phenomena of glass trapping heat in a greenhouse.

Source:

Climate Action Network International, "Climate Change Basics Glossary," Available Online at http://www.climatenetwork.org/climate-change-basics/climate-change-basics-glossary/?searchterm=glossary.  Retrieved October 27, 2008