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National Climate Change Secretariat

How We Are Affecting Climate Change

Learn how human activities are amplifying the greenhouse effect and accelerating climate change.

Last updated 9 July 2026

The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect occurs naturally when heat from the Earth's surface is absorbed by greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), which are naturally present in the air. These gases allow the Earth's atmosphere to be warm enough to support life.

However, the burning of fossil fuels for energy, industrial production and the clearing of forests to raise livestock have increased the production of GHGs. These additional GHGs trap even more heat in the atmosphere, making the Earth warmer.

Based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Working Group I Sixth Assessment Report (opens in new tab) (released in August 2021), the global atmospheric CO2 concentration stood at 410 parts per million (ppm) in 2019 and increased by approximately 2.4 ppm per year from 2011 to 2019.

The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Diagram showing how solar radiation hits Earth, warms its surface, emits infrared radiation, and is trapped by greenhouse gases.

Source: Climate Change & Singapore: Challenges. Opportunities. Partnerships (opens in new tab)