The greenhouse effect on the Earth is identified by the difference between the effective radiating temperature of the planet and its surface temperature. The difference between the energy emitted by the surface and that emitted upward to space by the upper atmosphere quantifies it; it can therefore be defined as the long wave energy trapped in the atmosphere. Climate forcing and the response of the climate system within which climate feedback mechanisms are contained, will be defined in this review. Quantitative examples will illustrate what could happen if the greenhouse effect is perturbed by the human activities, in particular if atmospheric CO2 concentrations would double in the future. Recent measurements by satellites of the greenhouse effect will be given. The net cooling effect of clouds on the Earth and whether or not there will be less cooling by clouds as the planet warms, are discussed following a series of papers recently published by Ramanathan and his collaborators.