Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gaseous substances that contribute to the warming of the Earth's atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases are gaseous components of the Earth's atmosphere that cause the greenhouse effect by their ability to store heat. These gases absorb part of the thermal radiation emitted by the Earth's surface and re-radiate it in different directions, leading to atmospheric warming and stabilizing the climate. The natural greenhouse effect is crucial for maintaining life conditions on Earth. Without it, the average temperature would be around -18 �C, while it currently stands at about +15 �C.

The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO_), methane (CH_), nitrous oxide (N_O), and fluorinated gases. Among these, carbon dioxide is the most prevalent and is primarily released through the burning of fossil fuels. Methane, which has significant greenhouse potential, is mainly released in agriculture and through the decomposition of organic materials. Nitrous oxide often comes from the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, while fluorinated gases are produced in industries and have an extremely high greenhouse potential. Water vapor, although quantitatively the most important greenhouse gas, is primarily influenced by natural processes rather than human activities.

Reducing emissions of these gases is critical in combating climate change. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, emphasize the need to minimize the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to limit global warming and prevent catastrophic climatic changes.