Final answer:
Without the natural greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature would be about -18°C (0°F), compared to the current 15°C (59°F) we experience thanks to greenhouse gases like CO2 and H2O, which keep the surface warmer by 33°C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earth's Temperature Without the Greenhouse Effect
The Earth's surface temperature is significantly influenced by the greenhouse effect. The current average surface temperature of the Earth is about 15°C (59°F) due to the greenhouse gases, like water vapor and carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere. However, without this natural greenhouse effect, the average temperature of Earth would plummet to around -18°C (0°F); a frigid environment where water would be permanently frozen, significantly affecting life as we know it.
These greenhouse gases are crucial because they absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and re-radiate some of it back towards the surface, keeping the planet warm enough to support life. Without these gases, the radiation would simply escape back into space, leaving Earth much colder. The warming contribution of the greenhouse effect is approximately 33°C, meaning that the average temperature would be about 33°C colder without it.