GREENHOUSE GASES

A greenhouse gas is a chemical compound that is found in the earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are very important because they absorb infrared radiation from the sun and trap heat in our atmosphere. This heat keeps the temperature somewhat constant and allows humans to survive here on earth.

Even though greenhouse gases are naturally made, they can also be made by some of the things that humans do too. When too many greenhouse gases are made, it causes more heat to get trapped in the atmosphere and the temperature increases, causing it to get warmer.

Look at the list of greenhouse gases below and some of the activities that humans do that cause more greenhouses gases to be made.

Greenhouse Gases

Carbon Dioxide, CO2

Methane, CH4

Ozone, O3

Nitrous Oxide, N2O

Water Vapor

Haloalkanes

Human Activities That Make Greenhouse Gases

Burning coal, oil, and fossil fuels for energy, this energy is used for things like transportation and the electricity that we use

Deforestation and cutting down trees

The use of motor vehicles like cars and trucks