What is a greenhouse gas?

A greenhouse gas is any gas that traps heat in our atmosphere.

A greenhouse gas is any gas that traps heat in our atmosphere. There are 4 we worry about.

There are four main greenhouse gases that help cause climate change:

1. Carbon Dioxide
2. Methane
3. Nitrous Oxide
4. Fluorinated Gas

Most of these gases happen naturally, but burning fossil fuels for power, transportation, and other industries releases a huge amount of these into the air – thousands of times more than occur naturally. When they build up in our atmosphere, the earth heats up.

Environmental Protection Agency: Overview of Greenhouse Gases

NASA: Meet the Greenhouse Gases

Natural Resources Defense Council: Greenhouse Effect 101

Related Cards