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The Greenhouse Effect is caused by an atmosphere containing gases that absorb and emit infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases “trap” heat within the surface-troposphere system, causing heating at the surface of the planet. This mechanism is fundamentally different from that of an actual greenhouse, which works primarily by isolating warm air inside the structure so that heat is not lost by convection. The Earth receives energy from the Sun mostly in the form of visible and ultra violet light. About 50% of the sun's energy is absorbed at the Earth's surface, the rest is reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere. When the ground is heated, the surface emits energy back into space as infrared (IR) radiation (long-wave). Much of this radiated energy does not make it into space, but is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases subsequently re-radiate a spectrum of IR radiation (“heat”) in all directions, including back to the Earth's surface. Heat transfer is also possible by collision with other atmospheric molecules (the net effect is to increase the kinetic energy of the other molecules). By their percentage contribution to the greenhouse effect the major gases are: water vapour, 36–70% carbon dioxide, 9–26% methane, 4–9% In the absence of a “natural” greenhouse effect the planet's mean temperature would be far lower - about -18 or -19 °C Global warming: a recent warming of the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, is believed to be (but there remains debate) the result of an "enhanced greenhouse effect" due to human-produced increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases. This human induced part is referred to as anthropogenic global warming - primarily as a result of increased emissions of carbon dioxide and methane. Climate Change: unchecked global warming could result in catastrophic climate change (ice caps melting/sea-level rising). Given the enormous complexity of the atmosphere/oceans it is very hard to predict or model – contrary to some reports in the popular media. Questions How does the glass/plastic greenhouse in a garden work? Why does the inside of a greenhouse warm up in the first place? How is the “Greenhouse” effect on Earth different? What are the mechanisms that prevent/limit IR radiation escaping into space? (How does a Greenhouse Gas work!) Given that there is significantly less methane in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide what comment can you make about methane’s percentage contribution to global warming.