Final answer:
The greenhouse effect is caused by the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the Earth's average surface temperature to rise, known as global warming. This enhanced effect due to human activities is a major component of climate change, which also includes weather pattern changes and other environmental impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process through which increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases lead to a warming of the planet is known as the greenhouse effect. This natural process is exacerbated by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to elevated levels of these gases, which include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The result is an enhanced greenhouse effect that causes global warming—a rise in the Earth's average surface temperature.
Global warming is a component of the broader term climate change, which encompasses not only the rising temperatures but also altered weather patterns, increase in extreme weather events, and changes in wildlife habitats. The consensus among scientists is that the human-induced increase in greenhouse gases is a significant driver of the current changes in our climate, posing risks to natural ecosystems, human health, and the economy.
Key impacts from global climate change include more frequent and severe storms, changing precipitation patterns that can affect agriculture, loss of biodiversity, and rising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities. It is now widely recognized that mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the changes already underway are critical steps to address this global challenge.