Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming Explained with Thermodynamics

Greenhouse gases trap heat by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation from Earth’s surface.
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor are the main players.
Thermodynamics explains that heat flows from hot to cold—gases slow that escape to space.
This creates an energy imbalance: more heat comes in from the Sun than leaves Earth.
Like a blanket, greenhouse gases don’t add heat, they just keep it from leaking out.
More greenhouse gases mean higher “radiative forcing,” tipping Earth toward warming.
The Stefan–Boltzmann Law shows Earth must radiate more energy as it warms, but gases block part of it.
Entropy still increases—the atmosphere spreads absorbed heat globally, driving climate shifts.
Positive feedbacks, like melting ice or water vapor increase, amplify the thermodynamic trap.
Thermodynamics makes it clear: boosting greenhouse gases guarantees more stored heat and a warming planet.