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Intermediate · 3 min

Separate the mechanism from the change

Earth’s surface absorbs energy and emits infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases absorb and emit some of that radiation, influencing the rate at which energy escapes to space. This natural effect helps keep the surface warmer than it would otherwise be. Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations changes the energy balance. This mechanism is different from the loss of stratospheric ozone.

Practice

Which description concerns the greenhouse effect?