Greenhouse gases are gases that get trapped in Earth’s atmosphere. They work like a blanket, capturing heat from the sun, which makes the planet warmer.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s atmosphere. As the sun emits light and heat, the Earth’s surface absorbs some of this energy and reflects the rest into space.

In 2013, atmospheric CO2 levels grew larger than the planet has seen for millions of years. This spike is directly linked to human influence from activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

The surface of the earth with factories and a car emitting co2 into the atmosphere
Many cars lined up on a highway in bumper to bumper traffic

Human activities like burning fossil fuels such as gas or diesel play a big role in increasing carbon levels. The use of Internal Combustion Engines (ICVs) has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which traps more heat on Earth’s surface and leads to a rise in global temperatures. 

As CO2 levels have risen, more heat has been trapped in the earth’s atmosphere, leading to more frequent hurricanes and heat waves. Scientists warn that if these trends continue, sea levels could rise significantly, affecting coastal cities and ecosystems.

THINK-PAIR-SHARE

  1. In your own words, describe greenhouse gases.
  2. What are three ways human activity leads to increased greenhouse gasses?
  3. What are some ways we can work to lower greenhouse gasses in our communities?