What are greenhouse gases and how do they cause the greenhouse effect?
A5. Greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorocarbons. These gases absorb and re-emit infra-red radiation, trapping heat and warming the Earth’s atmosphere, in a similar way to the glass in a greenhouse. Human activity such as land clearing and burning fossil fuels (e.g. coal and oil) have been increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere resulting in an enhanced greenhouse effect (i.e. global warming).
A6. Greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorocarbons. These gases absorb and re-emit infra-red radiation, trapping heat and warming the Earth’s atmosphere, in a similar way to the glass in a greenhouse. Human activity such as land clearing and burning fossil fuels (e.g. coal and oil) have been increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere resulting in an enhanced greenhouse effect (i.e. global warming).
