| Aspect | Natural Greenhouse Effect | Enhanced Greenhouse Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Natural concentration of greenhouse gases | Human activities increasing gas concentrations |
| Effect | Earth +15°C (supports life) | Additional warming above natural level |
| CO₂ level | ~280 ppm (pre-industrial) | 420+ ppm (2024) |
| Outcome | Essential for life on Earth | Causing climate change, sea level rise |
| Timescale | Billions of years | Rapid — mainly last 200 years |
This comparison covers Natural vs Enhanced Greenhouse Effect within Greenhouse Effect for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Greenhouse Effect in Atmosphere for GCSE Chemistry with 25 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 7 of 14 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Greenhouse Effect
Which of these gases is NOT a greenhouse gas?
Explain why the natural greenhouse effect is important for life on Earth.
Quick recall flashcards
What type of radiation does Earth emit?
Long-wave infrared radiation (heat)
What are the three main greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and water vapour (H₂O)