Greenhouse Gases

A greenhouse gas (sometimes abbreviated GHG) is a gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range. Greenhouse gases cause the greenhouse effect on planets. The primary greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are:-

• Water vapor (H2O),

• Carbon dioxide (CO2),

• Methane (CH4)

• Nitrous oxide (N2O), and,

• Ozone (O3)

Without greenhouse gases, the average temperature of Earth's surface would be about −18 °C (0 °F), rather than the present average of 15 °C (59 °F). The atmospheres of Venus, Mars, and Titan also contain greenhouse gases.