Greenhouse gas

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. An increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere is the cause of global warming.

The main greenhouse gases released by human activities are:

• water vapour (H₂O),
• carbon dioxide (CO₂);
• methane (CH₄);
• nitrous oxide (or N₂O);
• ozone (O₃).

Also: chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), perfluoromethane (CF₄)...