Why is earth warmer on the surface then it is 30000 feet up or in space does it have anything to do with the ozone layer kicking the heat back down?

Answer 1

The atmosphere is different temperatures at different altitudes. The exosphere is basically the temperaure of the surface of the Sun, and the stratosphere is about the same temperature as the surface of the Earth. Ozone (and the ozone layer) is formed where the atmosphere absorbs enough energetic sunlight to get hotter.

The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere serve to keep our average temperature a bit warmer than, say, the Moon. Ozone in the ozone layer is a player in doing this, since ozone is a greenhouse gas. But ozone is a very small player. Water vapor is a HUGE factor in "kicking the heat back down".

Answer 2

The Earth's surface is warmer than higher altitudes or space because the atmosphere acts as a blanket, trapping heat from the Sun. The greenhouse effect is primarily responsible for this trapping of heat, as gases in the atmosphere absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation. The ozone layer plays a role in filtering out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, but it does not significantly contribute to trapping heat and warming the Earth's surface.