Consider the following statements:
I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth's surface.
II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet's average temperature.
III. Atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Option: I, II and III

All statements I, II, and III are correct. Without the atmosphere and its natural greenhouse effect, infrared radiation emitted by the Earth would escape directly into space, dropping the global surface temperature well below the freezing point (Statement I). The atmosphere absorbs and traps terrestrial radiation to maintain a stable planetary average temperature (Statement II). Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapour are highly effective in absorbing and trapping this outgoing longwave radiation (Statement III).