What is a true statement about the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect refers to the process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, trap heat. When the sun's energy reaches the Earth, some of this energy is absorbed by the surface, warming it. In turn, the Earth emits this energy back towards space in the form of infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases absorb some of this outgoing heat and re-radiate it in all directions, including back toward the Earth's surface. This process effectively traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the planet and maintaining a temperature conducive to life.

Understanding the role of the greenhouse effect is crucial when discussing climate change, as an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations can enhance this natural process, leading to a rise in average global temperatures.