Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called ..................

The correct answer is - Greenhouse gases

Key Points

• Greenhouse gases
  • Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere are called greenhouse gases.
  • These gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere but prevent heat from escaping, leading to the greenhouse effect.
  • Examples of greenhouse gases include:
    • Carbon dioxide (CO₂) - released from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.
    • Methane (CH₄) - emitted during the production of oil and gas, as well as from livestock and agriculture.
    • Nitrous oxide (N₂O) - produced from agricultural activities and industrial processes.
    • Water vapor - the most abundant greenhouse gas, which amplifies the effect of other gases.
  • The greenhouse effect is critical for maintaining the Earth's temperature but becomes a problem when excess greenhouse gases lead to global warming.

Additional Information

• Impacts of the Greenhouse Effect
  • Excessive greenhouse gases contribute to global warming, which is the long-term increase in Earth's average temperature.
  • Leads to climate change, resulting in extreme weather patterns such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods.
  • Can cause rising sea levels due to melting ice caps and glaciers.
• Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Switching to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce carbon emissions.
  • Promoting energy efficiency and conservation to minimize energy consumption.
  • Adopting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
  • Participating in international agreements like the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise.