Why are greenhouse gases so important?
Greenhouse gases are important because they trap solar energy (heat from the sun) in the atmosphere. Without some greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the earth would be too cold for life as we know it. The problem we are facing today is that there are more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than what is “normal.” This is causing the earth’s energy budget to be off balance. With higher concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, more solar energy is being trapped, and this is causing global temperatures to rise. Which of them are more influential on the atmospheric and oceanic temperature rise? The principal greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere because of human activities are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Carbon dioxide is the most “influential” greenhouse gas. The largest source of carbon dioxide emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas in power plants, automobiles, industrial facilities and other sources. He
