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What are greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases are materials found in the atmosphere that absorb heat energy from the Earth and prevent this heat from escaping into space. Primary greenhouse gases include water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). While these gases occur naturally in the environment, they can create problems when they are at unnaturally high concentrations.
- H2O vapor is the most prevalent of the greenhouse gases.
- CO2 emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and petroleum) primarily from transportation and electricity generation.
- CH4 emissions come from the production and burning of fossil fuels, decomposing waste in landfills, and certain processes common to agriculture (livestock production and associated waste).
- N2O emissions are a bi-product of fuel burning from transportation and electricity generation. They also come from certain soil practices and the application of fertilizers in agriculture.
The growing reliance on fossil fuels, rapid global deforestation, and inefficient industrial production have all caused the concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases to increase significantly in our atmosphere. Thus, we are faced with the challenge of controlling these greenhouse gases.