The greenhouse effect is a natural process that regulates the Earth’s temperature and makes it habitable for life. However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have intensified this effect, leading to global warming.

Here’s how the greenhouse effect works:

1. Sunlight nourishes our planet; energy is absorbed from the Sun by the Earth through two forms, visible and ultraviolet radiation.
2. Ground-level beneficiary: The Earth’s surface takes in part of this energy, receiving warmth as a result.
   Heat returns home: Having been warmed, the Earth’s surface now radiates heat (infrared radiation) back into space.
3. Barrier blankets: While allowing solar radiation to pass through them freely, certain components of the atmosphere like CO2, CH4, N2O act as blankets that trap and keep infrared light. These gases absorb heat emissions from Earth’s surface and subsequently re-emit them in all directions — with a good portion redirected back down towards terrestrial ground.
4. Stepping up warmth: As these greenhouse gases absorb infrared rays and scatter them back down to Earth’s lower atmosphere (thus causing further warming), we find ourselves held hostage by our own creation— trapped thermal energy that refuses escape.

An average temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) is what this natural greenhouse effect has made the Earth suitable for. Otherwise, without it, the Earth’s average temperature would be about -18 degrees Celsius (-0.4 degrees Fahrenheit), a value most life forms wouldn’t be able to survive in because it would be too cold.
However, there is an intensification of the greenhouse effect due to human activities; these include burning fossil fuels and deforestation leading to global warming because they increase the concentration levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The greater the amounts of greenhouse gases present, more infrared radiation gets trapped hence leading to increased heat that disrupts various systems within our climate— which causes many impacts like sea levels rising or glaciers melting and so on.

Humanly actions involve cutting back on greenhouse gases and seeking alternative sources of energy; these are essential steps in addressing global warming impacts as well as stopping future climate changes.