Changes in Greenhouse Gases
In the Energy: The Driver of Climate module, you learned that greenhouse gases are effective absorbers of infrared radiation and have kept Earth at approximately 15°C (59°F). You also learned that relatively small changes in the amounts of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere can alter the balance between incoming and outgoing radiation, ultimately determining Earth’s climate.
![Natural vs. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect](/ces/nasa/images/causes/GreenhouseEffect3-4-650x265.jpg)