greenhouse gases
Definition
Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. They include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, significantly impacting climate change.
Analogy
Imagine Earth wrapped in a blanket; greenhouse gases act like that blanket, trapping warmth from the sun inside the atmosphere. Just as a thicker blanket makes you warmer at night, more greenhouse gases make the planet warmer.
Related terms
Climate Change: A long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional, and global climates.
Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere as a result of an individual's, organization's, or nation's activities.
Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by balancing economic growth with environmental protection
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