Types of Greenhouse Gases

Water vapor, or steam, is water (H2O) in gas form. It blocks the heat from escaping the atmosphere, and warm air holds more water vapor. As Earth heats up, water vapor traps more heat.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is made out of carbon and oxygen. CO2 is naturally all around us. It comes from living and decaying life. CO2 gases can also come from volcanoes! The biggest contributor to human-caused global warming is CO2 gases released into the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels.

Methane (CH4) is made of carbon and hydrogen. It is a gas released from wetlands, growing rice, raising cattle, using natural gas, and mining coal. Like other greenhouse gases, it traps a lot of heat. It is the second biggest contributor to human-caused global warming.

The ozone (O3) layer blocks the sun’s radiation, which helps protect us from the powerful rays. Ozone is a toxic greenhouse gas when it’s near the surface, formed by burning gas in cars and factories.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is made by bacteria in soil and the ocean. N2O is released by multiple types of factories, power plants, and plant fertilizers. It damages the protective ozone layer of the earth and is an extremely powerful greenhouse gas.

Unlike other greenhouse gases, fluorinated (CFCs) gases are not made in nature. They can only be manufactured and released in applications like air conditioning and refrigeration. They damage the protective ozone layer and are powerful greenhouse gases.