üvegházhatásának

The greenhouse effect, or "üvegházhatásának" in Hungarian, is the natural process by which specific gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat and keep the planet warm enough to support life. Solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface and is partially reflected back to space. Gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone absorb some of this infrared radiation and re‑emit it, warming the lower atmosphere and surface.

Under natural conditions, this mechanism provides a stable climate. However, since the industrial revolution the concentration of greenhouse gases has increased sharply, mainly due to the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and certain agricultural practices. Carbon dioxide presently dominates the anthropogenic contribution, followed by methane and nitrous oxide, all of which have higher atmospheric lifetimes than water vapor.

The enhanced greenhouse effect drives global temperature rise, which in turn triggers shifts in precipitation patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and accelerated melting of polar ice and mountain glaciers. These changes threaten biodiversity, water resources, and human infrastructure, especially in low-lying coastal regions.

Mitigation strategies focus on reducing emissions through renewable energy adoption, improving energy efficiency, reforestation, and carbon capture technologies. International agreements like the Paris Accord aim to limit net radiative forcing, thereby curbing warming to safe thresholds. Continued scientific monitoring of atmospheric composition and climate response is essential to guide policy and adaptation efforts.