Key Points: Earth’s Atmosphere and the Greenhouse Effect

  • Earth’s atmosphere is made up of gases. This atmosphere warms the planet and enables life on Earth.
  • The atmosphere is made up of layers, each unique in their composition.
  • Greenhouse gases are those that absorb energy well and radiate it back out to Earth.
  • Albedo describes the reflectivity of a surface and plays a role in the overall heat budget of an area.
WeatherSTEM