The greenhouse effect happens because the sun gives the Earth large amounts of radiation to go into the atmosphere as visible light, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, and other invisible radiations. According to NASA, 30 percent of the radiation which hits Earth is eventually reflected by clouds, ice, and reflective surfaces back towards space. The ocean, land, and atmosphere absorb the other 70 percent.
NASA.
When the ocean, land and atmosphere absorb radiation, they heat up and release that heat as infrared thermal radiation, and that radiation leaves the atmosphere to go to space.
The exchanging of radiation coming in and out and warming up the Earth is called the greenhouse effect
Cici's Capstone 