How does the greenhouse effect contribute to Earth's warming?

The Earth stays warm because of the greenhouse effect, which is like a cozy blanket that keeps us from getting too cold at night.

Imagine you're wearing your favorite hoodie on a chilly evening. The hoodie traps some of your body heat, so you stay warm even when it's cool outside. That’s exactly what happens with the greenhouse effect, Earth's atmosphere acts like a hoodie, trapping some of the heat from the Sun.

When the Sun shines on Earth, it sends out light and warmth, which we feel as sunlight and heat. Some of that warmth goes back into space, but part of it stays trapped by gases in the air, like carbon dioxide and methane, acting like a soft, invisible hoodie around our planet.

These gases let the Sun’s light come in but make it harder for the Earth to release its heat, so more of it stays around. This is why the Earth keeps getting warmer over time, it's like wearing an extra layer on a chilly night!