Greenhouse Gases

What are they? Greenhouse gases are gases which cause the "Greenhouse Effect". Many of the processes which create them are man-made, such as driving cars, flying, raising animals for food, and manufacturing goods.

How do they Work? They get their names from the way that a greenhouse works. A greenhouse lets sunlight through and therefor heat, but doesn't let it escape. The gases work in the same way with the planet, they trap the heat caused by the sun inside the earth's atmosphere.

But wait! Each Greenhouse Gas affects the atmosphere in different ways, some create the barrier, some allow more sunlight through, and in reality...WE NEED THEM. If we never had greenhouse gases, our planet would be too cold to live on.

So what is the problem? We are upsetting their natural balance. Too much of them has the opposite effect of heating the planet up...and that is why they are a cause of Global Warming.

Quick Quiz:
(Click To see Answer)

Q1: Name any 3 of the Greenhouse Gases listed above:

A: Water Vapour
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Methane
Ozone
Nitrous Oxide
CFC's

Q2. How do they warm up the planet

A: By trapping the sun's heat inside our atmosphere.

Q3: Do we need greenhouse gases?

A: Yes, they help keep the planet just the right temperature for us to live.

Q4: What Happens if we have too much of them?

A: That will cause the Earth to heat up!

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