Definition

Greenhouse gases are those gases that trap the heat of the sun within the Earth`s atmosphere producing the "greenhouse effect", which warms the Earth`s surface. The main gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide and water vapor. Other greenhouse gases include methane, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide and sulfur hexafluoride. The increase in the production of greenhouse gases has exacerbated heating within the atmosphere and the acceleration of global climate change.

Keywords

emissions, reduction, mitigation, global warming, carbon, sequestration, carbon dioxide, CO2, equivalent, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxides, aerosols, hydrofluorocarbons, HFCs, perfluorocarbons, PFCs, industrial pollution, burning fossil fuels, coal, oil, gas, biomass, international treaties, vehicle mileage standards, infrared radiation absorption, air, atmospheric carbon concentration