To keep it simple, the rays of the sun warm the earth and the earth reflects this radiated heat back into the atmosphere. The greenhouse gases prevent this heat from escaping from the surface of the earth, however without these gases the earth would be a colder.
Since the industrial revolution, man has created an oversupply of greenhouse gases, unbalancing the equation of output=input, which in turn has altered the natural cycle of the atmosphere, thus making it harder for radiation to escape.
Approximately 90% of the excess heat due to Greenhouse Effect warming, is absorbed by the ocean and thus increases the temperature of the water. (Marc Lallanila 2015)This warming effect changes the equilibrium of the water, increases the water temperature and in turn causes the ice sheets on Greenland and in the Antarctic to melt. As the ice sheets melt, there is less white reflective surfaces to deflect the heat and so more energy is absorbed by the water and the process continues, in what is called a feedback loop. Once the ice melts, it doesn't reform.
Since the industrial revolution, man has created an oversupply of greenhouse gases, unbalancing the equation of output=input, which in turn has altered the natural cycle of the atmosphere, thus making it harder for radiation to escape.
Approximately 90% of the excess heat due to Greenhouse Effect warming, is absorbed by the ocean and thus increases the temperature of the water. (Marc Lallanila 2015)This warming effect changes the equilibrium of the water, increases the water temperature and in turn causes the ice sheets on Greenland and in the Antarctic to melt. As the ice sheets melt, there is less white reflective surfaces to deflect the heat and so more energy is absorbed by the water and the process continues, in what is called a feedback loop. Once the ice melts, it doesn't reform.
References:
1. Marc Lallanila- Live Science. 2015. What Is the Greenhouse Effect? Viewed August 2015 <]http://www.livescience.com/37743-greenhouse-effect.html.>
1. Marc Lallanila- Live Science. 2015. What Is the Greenhouse Effect? Viewed August 2015 <]http://www.livescience.com/37743-greenhouse-effect.html.>