Trapping the Heat
Have you ever noticed how a car gets very hot when it sits in the sun? The glass lets the sunlight in, but it doesn't let the heat back out. Certain gases in our air, like Carbon Dioxide, act just like that glass. They let the Sun's warmth in but trap some of it near the ground.
The Perfect Balance
When we have just the right amount of these gases, the Earth stays at a comfortable temperature for us to live. However, if we add too many 'greenhouse gases' by burning coal or gas, the blanket gets too thick and the planet starts to get a fever.
Nature's Recyclers
Trees and plants are amazing because they 'breathe in' carbon dioxide, helping to keep the greenhouse effect from getting too strong. By planting more forests, we can help keep our planet's 'blanket' at the right thickness.