What are the major greenhouse gases and their impact on climate change?

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, which can lead to climate change. The major greenhouse gases are:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Methane (CH4)
• Nitrous oxide (N2O)
• Fluorinated gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride)

Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas because it is produced in large amounts by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas and is produced by livestock, rice paddies, landfills, and natural gas and oil production. Nitrous oxide is produced by the use of nitrogen fertilizers, manure, and burning of fossil fuels. Fluorinated gases are synthetic gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and electrical equipment. These gases are much less abundant than carbon dioxide but are much more potent as greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to a warming of the earth's surface. This warming can cause a number of changes to the earth's climate, including more extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and droughts. It can also cause sea levels to rise, as melting glaciers and ice sheets contribute water to the oceans. Additionally, climate change can have impacts on ecosystems and agriculture, with changes in the timing of seasons, range of pests, and crop yields.