What role do greenhouse gases play in Earth's atmosphere?

Greenhouse gases play a crucial role in regulating Earth's temperature through a mechanism known as the greenhouse effect. These gases, which include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and others, allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere and reach the Earth's surface. When the Earth absorbs this solar energy, it radiates some of it back towards space as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate this infrared radiation, effectively trapping heat in the atmosphere.

This process is vital for maintaining a temperature that can support life. However, an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases can enhance this effect, leading to more heat being trapped in the atmosphere. This phenomenon is a key factor in climate change, as it results in rising global temperatures, altered weather patterns, and other significant environmental impacts. Thus, the statement regarding the role of greenhouse gases as heat-trapping agents that contribute to climate change accurately reflects their scientific significance and the underlying processes at work in Earth's atmosphere.