The document defines the greenhouse effect as a process where thermal radiation from the Earth's surface is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and radiated in all directions. It discusses the different layers of the atmosphere and lists common greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone. It then explains how increased CO2 from burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming by creating a carbon dioxide cycle and damaging the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from UV rays. The thinning ozone layer and climate change effects from the greenhouse effect include impacts to habitats, agriculture, and more extreme weather.