Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Effect, term for the role the atmosphere plays in insulating and warming the earth's surface. The atmosphere is pretty much transparent to incoming solar radiation. When this radiation strikes the earth's surface, some of it is absorbed, warming the earth's surface. Earth’s surface emits some of this energy back out in the form of infrared radiation. As this infrared radiation travels through the atmosphere, most of it is absorbed by atmospheric …

…to reduce worldwide emissions of greenhouse gases. The agreement, known as the Kyoto Protocol, obligates 38 industrialized nations to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases. Specifically, by 2012, emissions must be at an average of about 5 percent below the level of 1990 emissions. The United States, which is responsible for 20 percent of the total global emissions, pledged to reduce its emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels, while the European Union pledged to reduce its emissions to 8 percent below 1990 levels.