>The effect that is usually discussed is the so-called greenhouse effect. As I understand it, this is not directly related to the principles of thermodynamics, and especially to the properties you mention.
For a start, you may want to read the Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect. This includes both explanations about the pressumed global climate change, and links to articles about the controversy surrounding the role of humans.
What I find quite interesting (new, to me) is the explanation about "greenhouse effect" being a misnomer.
Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)
