The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that occurs when gases present in the atmosphere, such as water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide (CO2), trap heat from the Sun on Earth. The greenhouse effect is important for life on Earth, as it maintains temperatures at livable levels.

However, the increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, industrial production, and deforestation is intensifying the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming. This can have consequences for the environment and people, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, and loss of habitat for certain species.

Greenhouse gases include:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2): primarily produced by burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal to produce energy, deforestation and industrial processes.
• Methane (CH4): produced by natural sources such as wetlands, organic waste, and livestock, and by artificial sources such as natural gas production, agriculture, and waste management.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O): primarily produced by fertilizer production, industrial processes, and organic waste.
• Fluorinated gases: artificially produced and primarily used in refrigeration systems and polyurethane foam production.