What is Greenhouse gas?

Key Points

• Greenhouse gases are gases that can absorb and emit infrared radiation, leading to the greenhouse effect.
• The main greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
• These gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely. When sunlight strikes the Earth's surface, some of it is reflected back towards space as infrared radiation (heat). Greenhouse gases absorb this infrared radiation and trap the heat in the atmosphere.
• This process is essential for maintaining the Earth's temperature but an excess of these gases can lead to global warming and climate change.

Additional Information

• The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement are international treaties aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
• Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions include increasing energy efficiency, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and implementing carbon capture and storage technologies.
• Understanding and mitigating the impact of greenhouse gases is crucial for ensuring a sustainable and healthy environment for future generations.