What contributes to the greenhouse effect?
Greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect.
The greenhouse effect is caused by increasing amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Since roughly the time of the industrial revolution, humans have been adding significant amounts of specific GHGs to the atmosphere.
These increases are anthropogenic in origin. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, water vapor, and others. Carbon dioxide and methane are the two GHGs of greatest concern. The former is emitted at very high rates and the latter persists in the atmosphere for a very long period of time. Burning of fossil fuels is a major source of increased GHG emissions.
To learn more, see this related question on Socratic describing how GHGs cause the greenhouse effect.
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The greenhouse effect is primarily caused by the presence of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor, nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). These gases trap and re-emit infrared radiation, leading to the warming of the Earth's surface. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, significantly contribute to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, enhancing the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming.
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When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.
When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.
When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.
When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.
- Why is the natural greenhouse effect important?
- Can someone list examples of ecological/environmental, social/economic and political effects of climate change?
- What does anthropogenic mean in terms of climate change?
- What happens when the ozone layer thins out?
- What role does carbon dioxide play in the greenhouse effect?

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