What are Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases play an important role in the regulation of the Earth's energy balance.

Greenhouse gases basically consist of water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and CFC's.

The natural greenhouse effect is a warming process whereby the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap the infra red heat that is trying to escape back into space.

The greenhouse gases then raise the temperature of the lower atmosphere and the Earth’s surface. During the last 200 years, the atmosphere has become increasingly polluted by man. These increased greenhouse gases have enhanced the natural greenhouse effect, contributing to global warming.