Sorry, you're not alone in thinking both are the same, but the answer is false. Many people are confused about this. The greenhouse effect is a natural effect that occurs because carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases" trap heat in our atmosphere. Like the glass in a greenhouse, these gases allow the sun's heat through the atmosphere but then trap much of it near the Earth's surface. For billions of years they have played an important role in maintaining the proper temperatures for life to thrive. Global warming, on the other hand, is the increase in Earth's surface temperatures. It is occurring as human activity increases the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

You're right. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenom that occurs because carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases" trap heat in our atmosphere. Like the glass in a greenhouse, these gases allow the sun's heat through the atmosphere but then trap much of it near the Earth's surface. For billions of years these greenhouse gases have played an important role in maintaining the proper temperatures for life to thrive. Global warming, on the other hand, is an increase in Earth's surface temperatures. It is occurring as human activity increases the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.