I want to make one thing clear so I don't get any ambiguity here.  I am not asking about global warming, cooling or anything else currently being debated in the hubs & blogs of the world.  I am simply asking, as it is presented, do you accept the greenhouse effect theory which states simply that the contents and quantity of certain gasses in the atmosphere are what currently keeps the Earth's temperature zone as they are?

Read on, please, before deciding to answer.

Here's the greenhouse effect theory in general.  As science has investigated the idea of a greenhouse effect, it noticed that greenhouses gathered and maintained solar heat during the day.  The light and heat energy went through the glass roof, but the heat did not escape back out, in effect causing a warming of the internal temperatures inside the greenhouse.

As scientists examined this further, and as planetary scientists began to gather data from Venus and Mars, it was discovered that Venus, with a thick atmosphere of so-called greenhouse gases, was much hotter than it should have been without such a dense layer of these gasses in its atmosphere. the cause, scientists say, is due to the same effect that we see and observe in a greenhouse.  The light and solar energy enter the atmosphere, but are not allowed to escape, and thus the heat builds up, much like a car on a hot day will get very hit inside when the sunlight warms the interior but the heat can not escape.

When scientists looked at Mars they saw the opposite effect, that is, the lack of a dense atmosphere allowed the solar heat to escape easily, and thus Mars has very cold surface and atmospheric temperatures.

Thus goes the idea of Greenhouse Effect.  On Earth we have a rather decent temperature range all over the globe because of the mixture of carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane and other gasses that will capture the heat trying to escape into space.  Too few greenhouse gasses and we begin to shift toward looking like Mars; too many and we make the shift toward the way Venus exists.

Now, again, I am not asking if you either accept or deny the global warming, global climate change, etc.  I am asking, do you accept the idea that greenhouse gasses work as science has shown us?  I believe that most people, once they understand how this effect actually works, do accept the greenhouse effect.  But I am curious, if you do not accept this scientific reasoning, what is there that could replace this idea and be shown to maintain Earth's temperature ranges?  That is, does anyone know of an alternative theory or idea that explains how Earth maintains the equilibrium we witness in our times?

Science has used the greenhouse effect to explain such large-scale weather and climate phenomenon as the ice ages, the ancient warm planet where dinosaurs dwelled, and so forth. The theory, as it applies to Earth, has been shown in models, and by comparisons with other planets we are beginning to explore.

So, do you buy it?  Do you accept that a greenhouse effect actually works, and is present on earth and possibly on other planets?

Thanks in advance for your comments and any information you provide in your comments.