What phenomenon refers to the warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by atmospheric gases?

The phenomenon that refers to the warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by atmospheric gases is known as the greenhouse effect. This process occurs when certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, allow sunlight to enter but prevent some of the heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere. This leads to a warming effect, much like a greenhouse retains heat, hence the name.

The greenhouse effect is crucial for maintaining temperatures that support life on Earth. Without it, the planet would be too cold to sustain most forms of life as we know them. However, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased concentrations of these greenhouse gases, enhancing the greenhouse effect and contributing to climate change.

While global warming is a term that specifically refers to the increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to this enhanced greenhouse effect, it is a consequence of the greenhouse effect rather than a synonym. Ozone depletion involves the reduction of ozone in the stratosphere and is different from the warming process linked to greenhouse gases. Climate change encompasses a broader spectrum of changes in climate patterns, including global warming, but again does not directly define the warming effect due to heat trapping.