Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earths atmosphere that trap heat by absorbing and emitting infrared radiation in the wavelength range emitted by Earth. They are responsible for raising the surface temperature of planets such as Earth, and without them, our planet would be too cold to sustain life. The most abundant greenhouse gases in Earths atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride.

Greenhouse gases act like the glass walls of a greenhouse, letting sunlight pass through the atmosphere but preventing the heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere. This creates a greenhouse effect that traps radiation from the sun and warms the planets surface. Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been releasing larger quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and the resulting increase in atmospheric concentration is man-made. This increase has led to global warming and climate change, with global temperatures accelerating in the past 30 years and now being the highest since records began.

Greenhouse gases can be reduced by phasing out the use of fossil fuels, increasing energy efficiency, and using renewable energy sources. It is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for our planet.