The greenhouse effect is the way in which heat is trapped close to Earth's surface by "greenhouse gases" These heattrapping gases can be thought of as a blanket wrapped around Earth, keeping the planet toastier than it would be without them Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxidesGREAT LAKES CLIMATE CHANGE CURRICULUM GREENHOUSE GASES BACKGROUND The Earth's climate depends on the amount of solar radiation received and the atmospheric abundance of clouds and greenhouse gases The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ozone Much of the highenergy,Climate change includes both humaninduced global warming and its largescale impacts on weather patterns There have been previous periods of climate change, but the current changes are more rapid than any known events in Earth's history The main cause is the emission of greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide (CO 2) and methaneBurning fossil fuels for energy
Climate Change Annual Greenhouse Gas Index Noaa Climate Gov
