What process describes the warming of the Earth's surface due to greenhouse gases?

The greenhouse effect is the process that describes the warming of the Earth's surface due to greenhouse gases. This phenomenon occurs when certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, trap heat from the sun. As sunlight reaches the Earth's surface, some of it is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed, warming the planet. The absorbed heat is then re-radiated as infrared radiation, which is absorbed by greenhouse gases and subsequently emitted back toward the Earth, contributing to a rise in temperature.

This effect is a natural part of Earth's climate system and is essential for maintaining a temperature that supports life. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would be too cold to sustain most forms of life as we know them. However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming and climate change.

Ocean acidification refers to the decrease in pH levels of the ocean due to absorption of excess carbon dioxide. The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Climate change is a broader term that encompasses various changes in climate patterns,